The best laid plans...

So, I don't know the exact saying, but we all know what happens to the best laid plans: KIDS GET SICK AND THE PLANS GO OUT THE WINDOW!

At this point in time, you are probably sensing that I am a bit irritated. Thankfully it's not at my children, but rather at their immune system. School started Tuesday, Sept. 2 for Mandy. Kayla was sick Sept. 3, 4,and 5th. On Sunday (Sept 7), Mandy was sick, and was sick until Sept. 9. On Saturday (Sept. 13), Kayla woke up sick and was sick through Sunday. Today is now Tuesday and Mandy woke up this morning with a low-grade fever and a croupy sounding cough. She's doing much better now (amazing what a good nap and some hot liquid can do), and she should go to school tomorrow.

But, my plans....oh, they are gone.

You see, Mandy is in school 5 mornings a week; Kayla goes to preschool Tuesday and Thursday mornings. That gives me TWO MORNINGS A WEEK ALONE! I was going to do exciting things, like go for a long run, read a book without pictures, or even take a nap.

But, the kids have been sick on the days they are supposed to BOTH be at school!

On the positive light, I am extremely thankful that I have been able to be home with them for the majority of their illness. I'm even more thankful that my immune system (and Luke's!) is past the "look at a virus and get sick" stage (aka, we're still healthy)

And, given the fact that I am in my pediatric rotation for nursing school and have seen a multitude of illness, I am even more thankful that we are not at the hospital. We have done our part in supporting the local children's hospital, thank you very much.

I did get to take a nap with Mandy this morning. It was wonderful to just spend quality time with her (even if she does have snot coming out of her nose--it just adds to her cuteness!)

Pass the purell, anyone?

Some randomness

I often feel that the best parts of life are the random events that just happen. As a parent, the random comments my children make keep me in stitches. Here are a few examples:

Mandy (after a really loud "toot"): My toot sounds like a drum!

Mandy (she's the queen of random comments; this particular one was made during a very loud thunderstorm): "We need to pray that Jesus is careful." Upon further questioning she exclaims (and with a bit of frustration because *I* am not understanding her): "SO HE DOESN'T HURT HIS HAND WHILE HE BOWLS!" I told the girls that thunder and lightening was just the angels bowling up in Heaven, and she extrapolated it to mean that Jesus must also be bowling. Her insightfulness and concern amazed me!

Kayla: Mom, do you HAVE to walk me to school? (Um, hello...you're THREE! Of COURSE I have to walk you to school!)

Another current favorite Kayla story I have is from yesterday. She took a piece of paper, folded it up, and got on her hands and knees and pretended to scrub the floors. (As an aside, I should've really put her to work because my floors are long overdue!) As she was "scrubbing," she was singing the song from Cinderella "Sing, Sweet Nightingale" It was absolutely adorable. And for those parents who don't believe TV has an influence on their children, I want to vehemently disagree. My daughters act out EVERYTHING they see on TV (one of the main reasons we limit their TV viewing!)

"Nope, not at all!"

Those were the words Mandy spoke to me this morning when I asked her if she would miss me when she was at school (kindergarten). Her confidence and excitement for school thrilled me; her lack of caring that I wouldn't be there made me sad. Does she not remember when I couldn't walk away from her without her crying for me? When the only place she wanted to sleep was in my bed (well, okay--that was last night; in case you're interested, she slept in HER bed!) I remember the first time I left her in nursery and didn't get a page to come get her; now she's in kindergarten--mandatory school, 5 mornings a week!

Her lack of missing me made me think about my relationship with the Lord. While we celebrate and are thrilled that Mandy can separate from us and gain independence, do I (wrongly) do that with the Lord? Am I so confident of my abilities and my skills that I don't call upon the Lord for help? Do I feel that I'm mature in my faith that I need Him less?

Sadly, the answer to many of those questions is "yes." My reliance on the Lord needs to be the same reliance that Mandy once had upon me: Dependent on Him for every need, want, and desire. Just as Mandy used to cry for me if I left the room, so I should cry out for the Lord during the times I can't see Him clearly.

When Mandy made it ever so clear that she would not miss me, I hurt a little bit. When I picked her up from school and she didn't want to share everything about her morning with me, I hurt a little more. I bet the Lord wants me to tell Him that I need Him; I know that He wants to hear about my day. Just as Mandy had no interest in what I did with my day, I often have that attitude of not wanting to know (or rather, not taking the *time* to know) the goodness of the Lord.

I must say, though, that I am extremely thankful that Mandy has learned to separate from me and Luke in a safe, comfortable, age-appropriate level. All part of helping to ensure that she doesn't live at home when she's 30! (Kayla, on the other hand, told me the other day that she did not want me to walk her to school; isn't 3 a little young to be embarrassed of your mom? Especially when you have a COOL MOM LIKE ME!)

Separation is a little painful (at least for this mom!), but in a parent-child relationship, it's healthy and part of the maturation process. When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, however, we need to have complete and utter dependence on Him. Only He can satisfy us and complete us!