Staying Positive

With in two weeks so many things in our home have broken.  First our lawnmower, then our washing machine.  Now our van will not start, and now we have no hot water.  And also someone ran into the side of Clay's Jeep and it has a huge dent.  And last night I came down with a splitting head ache and body aches.  To me, having small children and not feeling well is depressing. 

Thankfully it is Friday and Clay does not have clinicals tomorrow.  Thankfully my Dad is coming to visit this weekend and bringing a washer he found on craigslist.  Sometimes it is hard to stay positive.  Honestly, I was not shaken up by all the things that have broken (unless it was the AC then I would probably cry like a baby) but not feeling well is always a challenge for me.  When I don't have energy for my kids I feel lazy and when I feel lazy I feel guilty.  I really just want to curl up in bed and watch BBC dramas. 

Tomorrow is my birthday.  Last night Clay said, "Tomorrow I'm going to bake a cake."  I immediately thought of Nacho Libre, "I think I'll build her a cake or something."  :)  I really love birthdays, I get so excited when it is Clay's or the kids and it is fun to see them get excited about mine.  

Good Reads, maybe?

I finished Orphan Train a couple of days ago.  And honestly, I don't know what I think of it.  I surprised myself and started crying near the end and could not stop.  The whole book was intense for me because much of it was about the sufferings of a child, a girl around Ellie's age who was a passenger on the orphan train and ended up in a bad situation, only to be moved to an even worse one.  The books goes through her life and she ends up being adopted by a very nice family and making a good life for herself.  Later, she is expecting a baby and gets news that her young husband was killed in WWII.  That wasn't when I lost it, emotionally.  I lost it when she had her baby and then gave it up for adoption!   To me, it was not believable that an orphan would have done that.  She did have a very good job for that time and a good support system.  Have any of you read this book?  Maybe you could help me see in a different light. 

For one reason I am thankful I read this book, I was made aware of orphan trains.  I can't even imagine.  I have a hard time whenever there are children suffering.  Here is a photo I found of one, sometimes the children would be on the train for days at time.  

I think to be alone and an orphan is one of the greatest forms of suffering.  

On another note, the read a loud book I finished with the kids was excellent!  We learned a ton about Germany during WWII.  Here is a picture if you want to check it out.  

This is the third novel we have read by Joan Hiatt Harlow and we have loved all three!  

Also, the baby bunny we found died.  I feel awful that we kept it and didn't just leave it alone.  I think I was more upset than the kids.  

So, we learned a lesson...wild animals need to be in nature, not a cage!! :)

Baby Bunny

Today Ellie and I caught a baby bunny!  I was running around the yard trying to get it, yelling, "Ellie! A baby bunny!"  Ellie ran over and managed to catch it, she is so fast!  The bunny is so sweet.  We have it set up in a dog kennel.  I'm not sure we will keep it, but it will be fun for the day.  On a side note our washing machine has officially bit the dust.  Clay was on the phone with my Dad for awhile and my Dad said the part would cost more than another used washer.  So, in the evening Clay did some homework at the laundry mat.  It worked out nicely.  When we were first married we had to use a laundry mat and I always thought it was cozy.  I probably wouldn't think so now, with four little kids. 

Play

Today we took a family day, I hope that's okay, I wish I wasn't so double minded.  Clay has been so busy that he hasn't had a lot of time with the kids.  I hope God will be merciful to us.  Clay was swimming with the big kids while I was watching the littles play in a new box.  Is there anything as exciting as a box??  :)

Today the Orthodox church venerates the Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul.  We also break the fast today!  Clay will get to enjoy that Curry Chicken I made yesterday, one of his favorites.  Only one more week to go for Clay's summer semester and then two weeks off.   ---- Holy Saint Peter and Paul pray to God for us!