Whoo Hoo! It's Friday!

I wish I could say that I've had a wonderful week with my family. I wish I could say that I have spent hours on the floor with Benjamin, getting to know him better and spoiling him rotten. I wish I could say that I haven't been sick all week with some sort of viral, non-strep throat infection that makes it nearly impossible to speak (or cough, or swallow) without a topical anesthetic.

But I can't, so I'll have to say that I am ready to be well. I am ready to start feeling like a human being again, and I am ready to be able to yell at the kids lovingly counsel my children without feeling like I have razor blades in my throat. Do you know how hard it is to get the attention of a 3 and 7 year old, who are completely involved in playing with their 2 year old cousin, when you don't have a voice to speak of? I've been reduced to banging objects on my side table to get them to look at me. I've become the old, senile woman who thumps her cane to make a point.

It's sad, really.

In spite of my declining health this week, it has been good to see Ronna and Benjamin. She is just a wonderful as she always is, and Benjamin is just adorable. He is well behaved and obedient, and he is a complete joy to be around. I'm hoping that by this evening, all my drugs will have kicked in and I'll be ready for some real play time with him.

Amber left yesterday morning, and I am so glad that she was able to get over here for a visit. We stayed up too late talking and watching movies, but we had a great time. She took Gracie shopping for a clothes on Tuesday and Wednesday, and got her an adorable bathing suit from Target as well as flip flops and capri's from The Children's Place. She wanted to get her something for her birthday, and she always needs more clothes since she has a pathological need to change them at least 3 times a day. Sometimes I'm lucky, and I'm able to rescue them from the dirty clothes hamper, but more often than not, I wash entire loads of perfectly clean clothes.

Ronna made a wonderful dinner of breaded chicken and roasted potatoes last night, with a side of peas. It was incredible, and I was grateful that I didn't have to cook. I have been such a bad hostess to everyone this trip because I haven't really felt like doing much of anything. Thank goodness it's family, and they totally understand, but I love having people over and cooking special meals and making them feel really at home and welcome. It's killing me to sit around and do nothing while everyone else is bringing things to me and making me feel better. I think it's one of the real dangers of having service as a spiritual gift.

I am so focused on serving others, that I neglect to let them serve me sometimes. I find such joy in giving and doing, and tend to be a little uncomfortable when I am on the receiving end. Being able to accept help and kindness is just as important as dispensing it, and it is something that I need to learn to do more graciously.

One of the highlights of my week was the birth of Chance Patrick to my good friend Kasi. We work together, and she had him on Tuesday. He was 7 lbs, 13 oz and completely healthy. I've spoken to her a few times, and she was supposed to go home yesterday so I'm hoping to stop by this afternoon and meet him if I am feeling better. On second thought, I might just wait until Tuesday so be sure that I don't get him sick. The last thing a new mom needs is a sick baby!

So now I am already looking ahead to the long Memorial Day weekend. We have no plans, and that is fine with me. Ronna will be here until Sunday, and then we will have Monday to rest, relax and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that I can have this blog and all of the other freedoms that I enjoy.