When it rains, it pours...

That is just about the only thing to say to describe last week...many of you already know the events from this past week that tried to get us down and even squash us but thankfully God was right there to bring us through it.  It isn't anything many other people haven't had to experience, and certainly not near as bad as many others, as we keep telling ourselves but honestly it has worn us down. 
Two weeks ago we went to the doctor for the kid's annual check-ups at the pediatrician.  Nothing out of the ordinary...overall good health. One little funny while we were there though, is the doctor told them when we got there that there would be no shots for either of them so that relieved their anxiety quite a bit.  So she proceeded with the ritaul of all the things to check overall each child.  She asked Peyton to lay down on the medical bed in the room and take his pants down because he needed to check his private parts.  I reassured him it was okay.  She walked a few steps to the cabinet and pulled out the hammer to check his reflexes with and set it close to her on the other side of the bed.  Immediately Peyton looked at her and said "WHAT IS THAT FOR?", I am sure, thinking since she had just had him take down his pants she was going to "check" his privates with the hammer.  I reassured him again that she wasn't going to use that on him and it was for his knees.  We all busted out laughing.  That might have sent him over the edge with doctors, if being in the hospital last year hadn't already!  :)  Anyway, on to our week... While we are there we start talking about Jaedyn, her sleep patterns, her tonsils, her constant clearing of her throat and ended up being referred to an ear, nose, and throat doctor.  So, last week we went to see the ENT regarding all of these issues.  He was super, gave her a great exam, and recommended she have her tonsils and adenoids out at Thanksgiving.  Thinking this might solve a few of her issues with sleeping, allergies, etc we were resgined to the fact that this was the best thing.  So... set all that up, scheduled it, called Mom for reinforcements during that week, etc. Meanwhile, the next day we receive what was to be our "single" salary for the month, since this was the first pay period without my teaching salary.  Mind you, I am still working but just not on the same pay scale as school with my photography and church job.  However, I am still ecstatic with where God has brought me at this point in my life in the money-earning area, as well as all areas.  It did take a little adjusting in our attitudes, priorities, and expectations for our household, our children, and us as well.  My husband took a little longer to realize that God was giving us this challenge so that we would rely on Him and change our focus to His ways and not the world's.  So, it was a stressful week last week as we worked all that out and the realization of the small, sad paycheck was staring at us in our face!  By Friday in the midst of digesting all these little "lessons" and things to add to our plate, I got a call at 12:00pm on Friday from Peyton's teacher, on her cell phone...BAD SIGN.  I am thinking, wow, must be something if she is calling me from her cell phone on my cell  phone and it isn't her conference period.  As I answer it, I knew immediately.  She proceeded to tell me Peyton had fallen on the playground and he was with the nurse but they were certain he had broken his arm.  Strangely, I just knew this call would come one day.  Peyton is a typical boy and I just knew we wouldn't escape a broken bone at some point in his childhood.  With God by my side, he kept me calm and I told her I would be right there.  I called my husband to tell him and he said he was on his way.  I got to Peyton's school and I was met with several people who all said "wow, he is so brave, he hasn't cried yet".  Well when Momma shows up the tears start flying, you see he is the ultimate Momma's boy and he knew he was safe to cry in my arms.  Of course, there wasn't a dry eye in the room after that sweet boy started crying.  We got him in the car, Daddy showed up, and we headed to the ER.  We spent the next 5-6 hours in the ER.  We had a wonderul RN who even worked 3 hours over his shift to stay with us and help.  After 8 X-rays (extremely painful, that poor baby), diagnosis of 2 breaks in tibia and fibula bones just above wrist, sedation, setting his arm, putting an air cast on, some hilarous post-sedation talk, an IV (ouch), and a bribe of a toy at Target we were on our way back home.  Only after a short stop at Target to be ended abruptly with vomitting up sedation medication in their floor, we were headed home for sure now!  The funny thing was, after all the stuff that had caused tension with my husband and I through the week, all of life's little surprises that had been thrown at us, and all the negative attitudes we could have had...what a blessing to be able to be together with our son to comfort him and realize there is nothing more important in this world that being there, together, no matter where you are.  All of that "junk", just disipated and God brought peace over all of us and reassurance that all of it, good and bad, is part of His plan.  We just have to learn how to deal with it, how to use it as a learning experience from Him (our Father), and how to be a witness in how we react to those little surprises to others that may be on a hard path, much harder than the one we are traveling on.  Reminds me of a quote I saw once and comes to my mind so often... " “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.”  ― Plato  God knows what each person is dealing with but we don't.  Just assume they need love, kindness, and compassion.  You might be all they get each day. 
I have thought a lot about this lately as we have faced some trials.  My husband and I ever had this talk while waiting in the ER.  Be grateful for what we have.  Many don't have anything or anyone. 
Sorry to go on and on... I am assuming you are still here :)

So, on with my I want to remembers for last week...

*I want to remember how my precious daughter stood up for herself in a situation that was SO hard for her and did what she knew we (and God) would want her to do.  Great parent pay-off moment**

*I want to remember that the first thing Peyton said when he woke up from sedation in the ER was "Where is Jaedyn and who is getting her at school?" - always worried about sister.

* I want to remember that as soon as we picked Jaedyn up on Saturday  morning she doted on her brother for hours making sure he was comfortable, getting anything he needed, and even scolding her dad for touching Peyton's fingers too hard.

* I want to remember that God will come through for you no matter what in His time.  He will not bring you to, what he can't bring you through.

*I want to remember Peyton's momma baby times.  He is just the little cuddler and needs me any time he is hurting.  Sitting on the side of his bed in the ER, he would just be so worn out from pain and would cup his little hand behind my head and pull my face to his crying.  He would just kiss, kiss, kiss me and say "momma".  So painful for me to watch him in so much pain but so glad he wanted me as his comfort. 

* I want to remember the sweet conversation Russell and I had while waiting  with him... about parenting, our marriage, what God has in store for us, and most importantly priorities of this world vs. the right priorities.  I am so grateful for a Godly husband and father. 

* I want to remember this close community we live in and how they love us and our kids. 

* I want to  remember that Peyton has been bringing home blue dot books...he loves it.  It is a 2nd grade reading level and he is so proud of himself, even though he "HATES READING", he says.  But he sure is good at it and really gets into it! :)
Sorry, don't know what is up with my photos all over the page...will work on a template or fixing that! 

* I want to remember that my kids have a daddy that wants to be there when they need him as much as I do. 

Sorry, don't know what is up with my photos all over the page...will work on a template or fixing that!

Have a blessed week! Be a light to someone...even though you may feel yours needs brightening!