Third Week of Lent

 We are in the third week of Lent and it's been a bit of a doozy. :) But we've made it through, thank God! Monday I woke up with horrible neck pain and locked up muscles. My neck was so tight my right shoulder was higher than my left.  I did a lot of heat, magnesium lotion, praying, and I think my husband anointed me.  It was an exhausting day because it was so hard to move and I was so uncomfortable.  Thankfully, I woke up Tuesday with less tightness.  I was so surprised! It felt miraculous considering how uncomfortable I was Monday.  

Then Wednesday early Wednesday morning I heard one of the kids get water.  Our kids are not early risers so I was worried something might be wrong.  When I got up to make our coffee, maybe around 7:30 Athanasius came in the kitchen looking awful! He looked pale, exhausted, and visibly unwell.  He had a fever and felt nauseous.  Later he vomited, had chills, and continued to look terrible.  Then he said, "I can't move my left hand good." The fingers of his hand were basically locked up, and that's when I realized he had been hyperventilating and I had not caught it.  He had been breathing weirdly, like out of breath but it wasn't registering until he mentioned his hand.  Years ago when I used to have pretty terrible panic attacks I would hyperventilate and my hands would curl up and sometimes I could not move them for quite a while.  Athanasius was also dehydrated because he felt so nauseous he was having a hard time drinking.  Our doctor recommended taking him to the ER.  His hand improved once they gave him fluids.  The doctor was baffled by his hand though, but I wasn't.  Today is Friday and he still looks puny but less weak and seems more himself, joking and being snarky. :) But man, a scare like that can really take a lot out of you, physically and emotionally.  

The kids have been doing school this morning. I read two stories to Moses earlier, Flicka Ricka Dicka and Papa and the Pioneer Quilt.  Moses and Felicity are playing with their animals, Clay is sitting with them, work must be slow.  I'm glad, usually, he is so busy.  Boaz has done math and is now doing his school reading.  They want to watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory today, we'll see. :)  Athanasius did his school reading and half a lesson in math, he is resting now. 

Eleanor is volunteering today at our library. Last night she and I watched the second Hunger Games movie.  It was so fun to hang out with her!! She read the books so I thought it would be fun to watch the movies together.  

I am determined to get more pictures of Eleanor and Athansius, but it is hard! They do not want their pictures taken very often.  

It is sunny today after several grey days, thank God! 

Pressing On

 I've been thinking HOPE will be my word for 2022.  I have never done this before but it feels right this year, comforting even.  The last seven months have really stretched us and we're a little tired from it all.  And at the same time, just fine.  Really, when I look around at the kids and the house everything is fine.  We may not be as productive as some families, we're not taking trips, or doing lessons or teams, but we're together and learning how to live together.  Maybe these other things are distractions from what really matters? Not that travel, or teams is bad but maybe it doesn't matter as much as we think.  Maybe what really matters are the goodnight hugs, eye contact, really listening, smiling when you don't feel like it.  

Lent is right around the corner and I'm nervous, I always get nervous before a fast.  I wish I didn't.  Some people seem so excited about lent, and I don't get it.  Maybe one day I will. 

Today we did school, watched Old Yeller with the younger kids (I love this movie!), baked cookies, cleaned and decluttered under Felicity's bed, took a nap with Moses, made dinner, played Trouble with Felicity and Moses. Sometimes I like to write down what I did in a day.  Today felt hard, inwardly, but outwardly it was pretty lovely.  

 Poor Eleanor has a low grade fever and doesn't feel well.  I'm so tired of sickness! Lord have mercy on us. 

Goodmorning !

 

Felicity Turns 8!!

 Many years sweet Felicity! Her birthday was February 1st.  Felicity is so full of life and helpful.  She love's to help with projects and in the kitchen with meals.  She has been reading so well and has already met her goodreads goal for the year!  She is enjoying Mercy Watson books and the Dragon Master book series.  I am reading, Children of Noisy Village, aloud to her in our spare time.  

I am so thankful God gave us our Felicity.  Her pregnancy was the most difficult for me and she was born breech but God has blessed her with such a joyful spirit.  She was like the balm for our broken hearts.  We had just left our old church and joined the Orthodox church when I became pregnant with her.  Part of the reason her pregnancy was so difficult was that I was grieving and didn't realize it.  We lost most of our friends, my husband lost his job, and my health was not good.  It was so much at once and I wasn't coping well.  And then came sweet Felicity.  God bless you girl!! 

We had a break from the cold weather and made it to the park. It was so fun! Eleanor and Athanasius were there too, skating or riding on the trail.  I'm learning it's challenging to get pictures of older kids. :) Instead of a cake this year I bought cupcakes and other treats from the bakery.  The kids loved it and it was sp simple for Ellie and I, who usually bake the cakes.  Actually, this birthday was so wonderful and stress free for me because I kept everything so simple.  We enjoyed steak, mashed potatoes, and corn ( Felicity's request) and watched the Sand Lot together.  The kids always get a birthday movie and this was hers. 

A Playhouse for Moses

 For Nativity Grandpa Max gave Moses this sweet little playhouse. He sometimes calls it his room or his boat. Man! I love this little guy. He is sweet and spicy.  It's hard trying to keep up with all the bigs. 

Creativity for the Win

 Creativity is helping me get through these long winter days. Kids inside more often, Mama not feeling well, and lack of sunshine is wearing on me.  I'm so thankful for crochet and other handcrafts, they have always helped me. 

SNOW

 We got a little snow this past weekend.  The kids had a blast, some of us had colds so we didn't get to enjoy like Boaz, Felicity, and Moses. I think Eleanor and Athansius were feeling better and made it out there too.  I guess it was mainly Daddy and I that felt poorly! :)