A Weekend of Finding Thanks

This weekend has been a harder one in our household because the little ones have been sick. We are running very low on sleep, but we still have loads, loads to be thankful for.

Rejoice always, 

pray without ceasing, 

give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Friday, 11/4
Thankful for...
Darcy: I love Lucy (Not the old TV show, but when I asked Darcy what she was thankful for she said, "I'm thankful because I love Lucy!")
Sophie: Water & Darcy
Jack: Sophie (I'm thankful for all of the sibling love we have going on & that despite the arguments & bickering they actually realize how blessed they are to have each other!)
Drew: Lulu (I had written down snuggles for him because he was sick & we enjoyed some nice snuggle time...but even while sick, when I asked what he was thankful for, he instantly responded, "Lulu!")
Lucy: A good nap in her crib (Poor girl gets carted here & there all over the place, and spends a lot of time sleeping in her carseat or gets pulled out of bed in a deep sleep to be put into her carseat. But on Friday she was able to enjoy a nice long nap in her crib that she woke up from when she was ready!)
Daddy: Customers (For without them, we would not have a business!)
Mommy: My awesome husband! (And I actually wrote that down on the list before he sat in a steamy bathroom with a croupy Drew late Friday night or took him riding in the car at 1:00 am with the windows down to let the cool air help his breathing...and then again at 7:30 am!)

Saturday, 11/5
Thankful for...
Jack: Darcy
Sophie: Lucy
Drew: Lulu (The trend continues!)
Darcy: Daddy & his workers (I thought this was really sweet because she came up with this all on her own out of the blue. But we do pray for Daddy & his employees every morning on the way to school.)
Lucy: I forgot to "ask" her, but she started running a fever on Saturday, so I think she was thankful for lots of snuggle time & lots of loving arms to hold her.
Daddy: A warm fire in the fireplace (It was our first wood fire of the season! It was so cozy & made the house smell so nice!)
Mommy: Wonderful friends & extended family <3 (I was able to enjoy a couple of hours with friends at a baby shower to celebrate a precious new addition! The "girl time" was a blessing to me & I was so encouraged, as I always am, to talk with so many godly & wise women that the Lord has put in my life! Then, Saturday evening we were able to celebrate our niece Molly's 11th birthday! I love our family tradition of having a simple family party with grandparents & cousins for each grandchild's birthday. The kids SO look forward to these parties throughout the year!)
Here are a few pics from the birthday celebration...

 Sophie has the best seat in the house!

 Getting ready to watch presents being opened!

 Jack & Molly, great buddies!

 The kids all take such delight in watching presents being opened

 Even Drew (who still was feeling puny) was interested in presents

Lucy was also feeling bad & running a fever 

 Drew was very attentive & caring 

 Happy Birthday Dear Molly!

Cake!!! 

 And this was the scene as we were getting ready to go home...

 I called it the technology couch...

Everyone playing on someone's phone! 

Sunday, 11/6

Thankful for...

Jack: A wide variety of foods to choose from to eat!

Sophie: God's love

Darcy: The Cross

Drew: Lulu (I didn't actually get a chance to ask him today...but I don't think his answer would have changed!)

Lucy: No fever

Daddy: Our tough as nails two-year-old (Here's why...sweet Drew continued to suffer from croup symptoms on Saturday night. Since Lucy was also feverish & had the "barky" cough, we decided to do a little camp-out in our room...Drew slept in our bed again with me. Lucy was in the cradle & Jeff was on an air mattress on the floor. We had two humidifiers going, one cool mist & one steam vaporizer. Drew is a very active sleeper & makes use of the entire bed, and he was even more restless being sick. He had worked himself perpendicular on the bed with his head close to the edge. I was right beside him, so I rearranged him & moved him closer to center. Apparently, Drew did not appreciate this adjustment & he flung himself towards the foot of the bed & then rolled away from me...and right into the floor...and right on top of the steam vaporizer. We got him within seconds, but didn't know his foot had landed right in the hot steam, so his sock was drenched in the hot water. I quickly realized what had happened & removed the sock, but he still sustained a rather large burn to the bottom & side of his foot. We tended to his burn, bandaged his foot & we all tried to sleep, but it was a long, restless night. {So much for the extra hour to sleep!}  This morning, we had to drain some blistering & we applied a fresh bandage. Amazingly, he can walk around on his tippy toe & he hasn't complained one bit although it must hurt terribly. Hence, Drew's tough-as-nails disposition!)

and Me: Today, I'm just thankful for all of our good health! Even with the sickness that has plagued our house this week & is still lingering, I think of families who are facing life-long or terminal illnesses in a parent or child. My heart goes out to them & I know that we are so blessed to be healthy. I think of those who don't have access to pain reliever or antibiotics or simple first aid supplies.  I pray that we do not take all that we have for granted. I pray for moms & dads who have to care for sick & hurting children. I pray that we will use our good health in some way to make the world a better place & bring glory to God!