Friday, May 9, 2014

I'm Just Glad the Week Wasn't Full of Mondays, TToT Week #47

So, Monday stunk.  Worse than the decaying raccoon I mowed around last week.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, you can read the posts from the last three days.  (Yes, it took three days to convey the horribleness of my Monday.)

It was the kind of day that could have sent even me, the eternal optimist, into a corner to wail and cry about all that is going wrong with the world.  Yet I didn't.  I couldn't.  There were too many people showing me kindness and too many good things happening to allow me the time or give me the inclination to wallow.

So many things for which to be thankful...

1.  My mom had already been planning to come up Tuesday-Friday.  Sweet Mama, I don't know what we would have done without my mom this week.  She did so, so much driving.  Between kids' practices, my doctor appointments, the van getting fixed, and special events at school, much driving needed to be done.  Not to mention the laundry and kitchen cleaning and lunch making she did.  Oh, and Cuckoo's coughing up of phlegm on Wednesday morning.  So glad I didn't have to clean that up.  :)

2.  The friend who drove down early Tuesday morning to give me some crutches. The crutches have been a game changer.  While the scooting on my butt everywhere helped keep the floors dusted, it wasn't very practical.

3.  Pain medicine.  I am the sort who only takes medicine when I really, really need it.  (I gave birth to three of my kids without so much as a Tylenol.)  I haven't missed a dose this week.  As uncomfortable as I still am, I can't imagine how awful I would feel without it.

4.  Boatloads of people checking in on me and offering to help.  Every day, the texts and messages have been coming in with offers.  I haven't needed the help yet, but I have no doubt I'll be needing some next week.  I am so blessed to have so many people who genuinely care for us, want to help us and go out of their way to do so.

5.  Backpacks.  They are a wonderful help when a person is on crutches and can't carry a purse.  Also good for someone on crutches who needs to carry things from one part of the house to another.  Two of those 100 backpacks I have under the bed are coming in quite handy.

6.  The kids are doing good things.  We just found out that Phoenix scored very well on a national Algebra I test.  Buttercup was chosen for a huge honor at school by a panel of 12 teachers.  Turken got to perform in his first mini-musical at school.  Nailed it, even with only one arm.

7.  The pigs are still alive.  At least, I assume they are.  I haven't been out to see a pig or chicken since Monday night.  My family just may not be telling me that the pigs are dead, knowing I'd make them dispose of them.  Very well could be that the pigs are out in the pen decaying as I type.  I guess, then, I'll just be grateful not to know.

8.  Bryan is such a good dad.  He has been ridiculously swamped at work lately, but he has continued to put our family first.  He hasn't worked late.  He's gone to games and driven to practices.  He's the best.

9.  Simple things to keep little boys happy.  Turken and Cuckoo were occupied for hours on the front porch.  All they had was a bucket of water and one squirt toy each.  It gave me the chance to lay back on the couch and even nap a bit.  (This pain medicine can make me quite sleepy!)

10.  Weather warm enough for two little boys to play with water outside.  It's mighty helpful for a person on crutches, too.

Now, if I can come up with ten things for which to be thankful this week, surely you can.

What are they?

Have a lovely day!




Ten Things of Thankful


 Your hosts

32 comments:

  1. Hoorah for your kids! Sounds like they are all doing well.
    Boo, for anything that causes the need for crutches.
    And About Time for the warm weather!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The kids are doing well. Hoorah!
      That is the truth. Boo indeed.
      It's so nice to be warm again.

      Delete
  2. Considering all th decay....thats one helluva good list!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sometimes its all about perception...right or finding the silver-lining - you have wonderful people and your family always there for you that has your back.

    Have a wonderful Mother's Day with you feet up and relaxing!

    :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If it weren't for all of the lovely, kind, generous people around us, I'd be in gigantic trouble. The silver lining would be hard to find.

      Thank you!

      Happy Mother's Day to you!

      Delete
  4. Aww, sorry the week started out so badly, but glad you found some good still in this week and had some help, as well. Hoping also that you enjoy the weekend and Happy Mother's Day to you, too ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Janine. Happy Mother's Day to you, too!

      Delete
  5. Oh, what a week you've had! So nice that your mom was there to help you, and I'm glad you have lots of other helpers, too. Count me as one of many others who observe from a distance and continue to wish you well. (If we lived closer, I'd be happy to extend some more practical help.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know what I would have done without my mom.
      I have no doubt you'd be over here offering me help of all kinds. Thank you for the well wishes.

      Delete
  6. 1. What a great coincidence that your mom came to visit when she did! I thought maybe you had called for reinforcements.
    3. I don't like to take pain meds if I can avoid it, but sometimes, you just can't avoid it, such as old lady soccer injuries and hemorrhoid surgery.
    4. I would if I could!
    5. Good to know we aren't the only ones with a hundred backpacks in the house.
    6. Woo hoo!
    7. Well, I FOUND you one today, so remember if yours have dropped dead, you could have had one live one.
    8. He's a keeper.
    9. That would have been a darling picture.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1. So, so glad she was already coming.
      3. I am hoping to avoid the second reason for pain meds. Even more than old lady soccer injuries.
      4. I know you would.
      5. I'm really hoping a new fad giveaway starts soon. We have enough backpacks now. Perhaps they can go back to passing out water bottles. Our supply is getting slim.
      6. Woo hoo for sure.
      7. Um. No. but thanks.
      8. I knew it from the beginning.
      9. If only I could walk with crutches and take photos at the same time...

      Delete
  7. I'm so sorry to hear about your leg, but despite that, you sure have tons of thankfuls. Congrats to your kids on the acomplishments! Did you cry during Turken's performance?? I wanted to during Lily's performance, but contained myself. I shall not be ruled by hormones :-) Thinking about you and wishing you a speedy recovery. Happy Mother's Day, Christine!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I have become a teary mess. I cry at kindergarten performances and everything else my kids do. I cry at parades. My kids make fun of me for crying at the 8th grade vs. teachers volleyball game. It has gotten ridiculous.

      Thank you!

      Happy Mother's Day to you!

      Delete
  8. Oh wow. I went through your earlier posts from the week and oh wow. Your mother's visit was indeed well timed. And I am in awe of your ability to find the thankful after a Monday like that. I certainly would have taken a week off to "wallow" a bit.

    I hope your leg is better soon and that next Monday treats you amazingly well to balance things out! - Louise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh wow, indeed. I wouldn't believe it myself if I didn't live it.
      So far, no wallowing. We'll see what happens next week. It could just be delayed. :)

      Thank you! Great news from the doctor would balance things out nicely.

      Delete
  9. At least for 2 of them. :)

    Yeah, my yard is still waiting to be mowed.

    I'm doing my very best.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a week! Backpacks are awesome. Sorry about your knee and all the yuck. Glad you have your Mom around to help, that is huge! You vs the pigs & The kids helping with the pigs, I think I wet myself on that. Why? 'cause I'd do something like that. Love those simple pleasures of crayons and a paper car. As for the spine curvature, GirlyK is going through that too. I'm taking her to a chiropractor during her growth spurt. The evidence is week, but the theory is it should help.

    Hope your day is beautifully uneventful tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To say the least. :)
      Is she? You're the second mom I've heard today who has a daughter recently found to have a curvature. A chiropractor, huh? I'll keep it in mind. I haven't had a moment to think that far yet.

      You and me both!

      Delete
  11. Christine, Please get well soon.It's a wonderful Mother's Day for you, with the kids all raring ahead!! Hola!! And a blessed, blessed, weekend now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will do my best to heal as fast as possible. Thank you!

      Delete
  12. Well, I read all of the earlier posts (and commented) and I have to tell you, coming up with this list after all of that, you are definitely an eternal optiminst! Good for you! Feel better soon, tell your hubby he is the best, then tell your mom the same thing. Finally, hug those amazing kids! Happy Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I will pass on all of the messages and hugs. :)

      Delete
  13. well WOW-!!! I can understand why you are an optimist as well, just as Sandy says...and it probably has a lot to do with all those amazing people (your family) busy living life and helping you (a person who is always contributing) this week... a tough week which you made into a beautiful TToT! You are all phenomenal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, thank you Jean! I'm thinking you are a pretty positive person, too.

      Delete
  14. I didn't comment, but I did follow your Monday posts with bated breath. What a day! I, too, am thankful you are finding some relief, be it from crutches or meds or whatever. I hope tomorrow is calm and uneventful. I hope the pigs are still alive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a day that felt like 10. (Catch that "The Jerk" reference??)
      I have had two people independently tell me that the pigs were OK today. I'm thinking they are telling the truth.
      Here's to an uneventful week. I doubt it will happen, but I can hope. :)

      Delete
  15. Depends on when you come. We can make a deal. If a pig does die while you're here, you can be the photographer while I drag the body.

    ReplyDelete
  16. You are definitely blessed to have all that help! I hope tomorrow is a MUCH better Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Soooooo sorry about your pain. I have no idea what happened, but I'm praying for you! I know you hate pain medicine and I just remembered a friend who shared some natural alternatives with me. Here is the link she gave me for that: https://www.youngliving.org/hdsbeck. So glad your kids are doing so well. It's nice that you got to spend time with your Mom. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh bless your HEART!!!!! Thank GOD your mom was in town, such perfect timing!!! I am also so so glad you have such a wonderful hubs who knows his priorities. HUGE. I do hope and pray you heal FAST!!! Just try to remember- blip of time. This will all be a horrible distant memory someday... and can't those pigs be food for your family if they did ahem, die? I mean, there's some good meat on them, right? Is that bad to say? Oh dear...

    I think I smell bacon.

    ReplyDelete
  19. That is AWESOME you can come up with so many great things! Glad you got some help, moms AND meds, good stuff!
    It's nice the kids can occupy themselves so easily, what a blessing. Crutches can be a blessing, but also kind of a curse, hope they fit well and aren't uncomfortable. The visual of you scooting around to mop the floors is pretty entertaining :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to tell me what you're thinking!