summer 2011

summer 2011

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012
family

Thursday, June 2, 2016

and then there are trials....


We went out for ice cream!!! This is one of the things I love about homeschooling, the freedom to do what we want when we want. I was going to have a soft-serve twist, chocolate and vanilla, but at the last minute I decided I would be happier if I didn't. Because I assessed how I felt, and I really didn't want one that badly. I know, not a big deal, but to me...each temptation is a big deal, and if I just said, "what the heck", and gave in each time, I would gain back all my weight. So I fight, and I assess, and I don't give up. The kids really enjoyed it though:)

Anyway. Life isn't totally all sunshine and roses.

Today was one of those days. The difficulties weren't stacked up one after another, but I had a really rough night. If you have ever had a really really bad migraine, you can relate. It was one of those superbly painful ones, one where the feeling that the barf was all the way up to my chin, ready to fly out, because the pain was so intense...the throbbing stabbing pain.

It started in quietly, yesterday afternoon...then it got bad during the night, when I realized that I wasn't going to get any sleep if I didn't get some ibuprofen. I was lying there waiting for Paul to get up for work, so I could ask him to get me some. Then I looked at my phone, which killed, because my head was screaming when I moved. It was five o'clock. He wasn't getting up any time soon. So I hobbled in and got two, drank lots of water, and got back into bed. The throbbing pain was so intense, I tried my best to relax every muscle and not move, so it was subside...by six it wasn't any better, so I got up and took two more ibuprofen. By seven, it was easing off a tiny bit, but I was exhausted. I think intense pain tires me out.

But it also helps me have mercy on others. Pain teaches us to value the times when we feel good, too.

I couldn't get up to see the school girls out the door. I couldn't get up for Davian, good thing Kathryn was here.

Suzanne called me from school and asked me to bring a few things she needed for a presentation. Ugh. I knew I had to get up, but my head still hurt, and every time I closed my eyes I was dreaming again. I finally got up, at ten a.m., feeling wrung out and awful, not like one would expect to feel after sleeping in until ten.

Anyway,I brought Suzanne's stuff to school (and met her friend, who has wanted to meet me for a while, I gave her a hug!) I brought Kathryn to the library, then to Kohl's, because I had Kohl's cash, and a 20% off coupon. Kathryn needed khaki shorts for tomorrow night, for our new church fundraiser, working a concert venue in the city, on the lake. Ringo Starr is coming tomorrow night, to the brand new outdoor stadium. We are working the food concessions there, and have to wear khaki shorts or pants.

I also got her a nice pair of Birkenstocks for $26, boots for Char and Cam for next winter for $8 a pair, pants for Jonathan, a few tank tops for me, and a few other things...it all adds up so fast, even when it's at bargain prices.

We then went to the grocery store for just a few things, like strawberries and peppers and tomatoes and cheese and chicken.

Home...ah home. Lydia was here!

She likes the Little Tikes car.

We had taco salad for dinner out on the deck, Emily joined us, and Samuel SORT of did...he was on the phone. He's doing well in the Army Old Guard these days, he's now officially a team leader, in charge of five guys, one of whom is five years older than Sam. He was in the ceremony on Memorial Day at the Tomb, with President Obama, and said it was so hot and humid...

But he saw the old guys there in their Vietnam caps, and was sorry for feeling complain-y.

He was also in the Twilight Tatoo last night, and afterward there is always a meet-greet, and he got to shake hands with some veterans, and with lots of kids who delight in meeting the soldiers.

Sam's excited because he is coming home in two weeks, and we're excited to see him.

Four kids are in the living room this fine evening, so I have to be more attentive.

I got through this day, and hopefully I got lots of treasures too. I hope my headache wasn't just in vain, just a suffering with no results, that would be tragic. I hope I got something out of it...

4 comments:

Susan said...

How did Jon get so tall?! How did Davian get so adorable? When did Lydia learn to drive?!! lol
Della, you get a gold star for passing on that ice cream. Little changes over time =big results. 8-)

16 blessings'mom said...

Susan, Jon is growing way too fast. Davian is so adorable and sweet. And little Lydia, what a blessing she is. The ice cream, don't give me too much credit for that because I didn't really really want it...it would have been good, but there is a difference between something is appealing, and when you just NEED it...and believe me, there will come a time when I will get one this summer, ha.

Marilyn from Canada said...

I'm sorry you had such a dreadful migraine Della. I just can't imagine. My husband gets cluster headaches which is a type of migraine.....touch wood he hasn't had any for a month or so. You were very good not to have any ice cream. I wish I could say the same! I ate a big dish of the stuff last night. I rarely do, so I'm just moving on from that. Today is a new day 🌞🌞 Lydia is a doll, but growing way to fast. She is such a pretty baby. Poor little Camille and her big boot 😖 Hopefully that will come off soon. Have a great day!!

Marilyn from Canada

FLmom7 said...

I admire your willpower to resist the ice cream:). I have had those kinds of migaines and they lasted for 2-3 days sometimes...absolutely horrible. I hope you're better now. How neat it is that your Sam was at the D.C. Memorial Day ceremony...my son is in the Navy and was visiting there with his wife at the same time. Small world:)