Sick Some?

(Long winded today, but stick with me 'til the end!)
 
 Sick

Oh my word, that seems to be the story of our lives these days!  Honestly, there was a time when this family was rarely sick.  Most of us struggle with seasonal allergies, but on a whole, we have remained fairly healthy through the years.  At least a few months could go by between illnesses.

These days, not so much.  Honestly, I am starting to wake up and pray that just a day would go by with no illnesses.  And while I KNOW that there are people who are suffering far greater than we are, as I used to tell our deployed friends who wanted to compare the number of months a spouse was gone, it really doesn't matter.  When you are in it, it stinks. No matter what it is or for how long.

Right now,  it stinks here.  Just saying!

I have had a lot of unexplained back and side pain and various other weird symptoms.  Basically pain of some sort almost every day for quite a while now.  In trying to find answers, doctors found a large gall stone, so I had my gall bladder removed. Problem solved, they said.

It was NOT a fun surgery.  While the surgery was deemed a success, I had a hard time recovering and it wasn't until week 5 that I felt somewhat human again. 

I had one "healthy" week.  Then my sweet son shared his camp crud with me and I was back in the bed for 8 days.  NOT fun! 

And, problem NOT solved.  Despite my gall bladder being gone, I am battling pain in my back and shoulder and under my rib cage still, some days worse than others.  And as long as we are whining, my digestive system has not been right since my surgery- a problem I was NOT having previously, thank you very much.  Makes going out anywhere an adventure to say the least.  And to top it off, for the first time in my life I am struggling with anxiety.  (can't imagine why- haha) NOT fun times.

And now...

My oldest son ended up in an urgent care twice in 3 days very sick and with a 103 temp, to be diagnosed with mono.  Yep mono.  This is my life.  Actually, I am thankful for mono, because at one point they were talking about meningitis and spinal taps and I about had a heart attack.

The good news is that unless you drink or eat after him, or he licks you (highly unlikely), he is not contagious.  Bad news is he is a 15 year old boy who is battling headaches and exhaustion and the steroids he was put on make him a crabby critter!

Deal with that when you are in constant pain! ;)

I am pretty sure the remaining three people in this house would like to not be.

And that brings me to this- I am asking for prayer.  For healing, but more than that- for my attitude.  Quite frankly it stinks right now.  After months of struggling, I am about ready to throw in the towel. 

Ha!  Like that is a choice.  So the choice I have is to trust God in ALL things.  And praise Him in ALL things.

So I am reading this little book again, starting yesterday.  Again, because yes, I have read it before.  I am a slow learner.  A dear lady from our church in South Dakota gave it to me a few years ago when my husband was unexpectedly deployed. 

I needed it then.

I need it now!

Join me in praising God today! 

"My heart rejoices in you, Lord, for You are my strong shelter in times of trouble and danger and stress..." (p.41)

Blessings,

*quick side note- yes, we eat healthy food, take supplements, use oils, and more.  Trust me, we are doing everything we can thing of! ;) 

Schooling While Sick- Computer Learning!

In case you missed my whining on Facebook, I have been sick for two weeks.  I was in bed for six days of that time, either asleep or coughing.  Pneumonia and bronchitis will do that to 'ya!  It was NOT fun!  Still isn't, but, hey, at least I am out of bed and I think the second round of antibiotics has finally worked.  At least, I hope so.

So what to do when you are a homeschooling mom that is sick in bed?  Those are the days I was, and am, very thankful for computer based programs!  Seriously. 

Here's a confession.  Once upon a time I was one of those moms that scoffed at computer based learning.  I mean, why would you commit to school your child and then put them in front of a TV or computer screen?  Doesn't that defeat the point of you teaching?

Little did I know and lots of apologies do I owe!

I still may not ascribe to full time computer learning for personal reasons, but I have come to appreciate the value and reasons behind it.  If it had not been for some of those very programs, one of my children in particular would have done no school this past two weeks.  That is reality.

Luckily for him (in my opinion, not necessarily his, of course!) some of his school work is on the computer and he is able to do it on his own.  Because of that, I cannot call the past 14 days a complete flop in terms of school.  Other things are another matter! ;)

So what did he do?

History!  If you have not heard me rave about Veritas Press Self Paced History, hear me do so now.  This was one of those review items I did for Schoolhouse Crew that I did not realize would bless us as much as it has.   It is just the best history I have found.  My second grader is able to log in and view the lessons, do the activities and take the tests with no help from me.  I will admit I usually view the lessons with him because I enjoy them as well and have learned a lot from it, but for the past few weeks he has been on his own.  And even completed two lessons on several days!

Math!  This is where IXL has been a huge blessing.  Since it is a review based program, he may not have advanced into a new subject, but he has certainly not fallen behind.  Again, he was able to log in and review math concepts for 15-30 minutes a day. 

Language Arts!  Again, IXL to the rescue.  Some of the concepts for his grade level have been new to him, but because you have access to all levels he knows he can go back and review 1st grade material as well.  Another program we have used for over a year now is Reading Eggs.  This is more game based and flashy, but CJ loves it and so do I!  His reading soared by leaps and bounds when he first started Reading Eggs and he continues to do well with it.  I love that it covers reading comprehension, sight words, grammar and more.  He is required to do a level a day to "unlock" his 30 minutes of free computer time or a 30 minute movie.

OK, so it may not be a complete day's worth of curriculum, but for a sick mom, it is a small victory!  And the glory of schooling year round is that we are not in a race against the clock or the calendar.

Yay me!  Yay homeschooling!  And yay computer based learning!

What about you....do you have a computer base program you use and love?  I think I am ready to add a few more to our list and we would love to have you share what works for you!  If you have reviewed something you love and use, feel free to leave us the link!

Blessings,


*I am getting no compensation for mentioning these companies.  The opinions expressed are mine alone and based on our family's experiences.

Thankful despite sickness! 52 Weeks of Family Scripture Memorization

I am typing this post from bed Thursday night.  It is here I have been since Monday night, sick.  Achy body, cough and high temp.  Quick fact- did you know that when an adult's temp is 102.6 (at least this adult) you think you might die.  And then once it breaks, you feel magical.  Unfortunately, I am stuck in that cycle for now.  By the time your eyes see this post I pray I am done.  

Oh and for the record...I  thought this was just a virus.  Now I think maybe the flu, which I have never had before.  If this is the flu, or even just an inkling of what the flu feels like- line me up for the shot and then some.  Seriously, people, I am willing to take my chances!!  The past three and a half days have made my hysterectomy look like a cake walk, I kid you not!

Anyway, I digress...

In an effort to not lay here in misery feeling sorry for myself (yes, misery) I have spent a lot of time in prayer.  A lot.  And one of the things I have tried to do over and over and over again was remind myself of the many things I have to be thankful for.  So many gifts from God.

• Like children who are self sufficient and able to run a household while their mom is down for the count.

• For friends who a week prior had already scheduled to bring a meal this week.  Could that timing be any more perfect?

• For a friend who showed up at our door with supplements, raw honey, soup, tea, and juice.  That may be the only reason I am able to actually type right now!

• For a husband who despite being extremely busy still calls to check on me.

• For generally good health.  I am counting this as my one time a year to be sick, just in case you want to know! ;)

• For a warm house and cool baths.

• For the countless messages from friends the past few days to remind us we are not alone.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea.  In the middle of our trials, sicknesses and stresses- God is still good and He always loves us.  Forever.  

I am so thankful for that reminder tonight.  How about you?  What are you and your children thanking the Lord for today?  Make a list and hang it in your home...you may the reminder sometime down the road.  Ask me how I know! ;)

Blessings,

Mom needs a vacation!

Military moms are use to it.  OK, let's face it, moms in general are use to it.

When it rains it pours.

My oldest had her wisdom teeth taken out yesterday.  "Oh, it will be easy" they said. "Teens bounce back so much easier" they said.  "She'll be fine the next day" they said.

NOT. SO. MUCH!   Codeine is not her friend.  Motrin isn't quite enough. 

We are not having fun.

Then....

The 5 year old developed a 101-102 temperature this morning.  This is the kid who did not get sick once this whole winter.  Not once!

Then...

The 11 year old fell off the retaining wall in the back yard and hurt himself this afternoon.  It is only because of the grace of God we did not end up in the ER.

 

And did I mention, my husband is out of town?  Of course!  Well, actually by the time you read this he will be on his way home.  Thankfully.

I am pretty sure he is now in charge for the rest of the month.

Mom needs a vacation.