Deployment Log, Day 145:
1. Well, we had a solid 10-day run of no one being sick. Then on Tuesday night, Malick decided it was time to shake things up. AGAIN.
2. Between Malick getting whatever virus-y bug Tues-Thursday, (It wasn’t an ear infection, surprisingly) then Charis getting the same exact thing on Thursday night to TBD, then on Thursday I got ANOTHER cold, I have officially declared WAR on the germs in our house.
3. Seriously. Between the three of us, this marks EIGHT (8!?!?!) rounds of sickness since Jan 5. We’ve never in my life been this ill this much. (Charis is in the lead with 4X, Malick and I are tied with 2X each). I’m all about being an overachiever but this is ridic.
4. So yesterday, I got angry (not at the kids, thankfully). At the germs. I went on a Lysol cleaning rampage. There was something extremely satisfying about spraying every doorknob and light switch with Lysol spray. I felt like a weird version of an Old Wild West gunslinger. *Spray* BOOM! Take that! *Spray* KA-CHOW!!!! If only I had a gun holster that the Lysol bottle would fit in…
5. No, I did not spray the children. Tempting, but I recall something in the Bible about having self-control…
6. I washed all the linens, blankets, rugs, and threw away tooth brushes again. It’s on, yo.
7. I’m glad no one decided to just randomly “drop by” yesterday. Because my frenetic state would have likely scared them. My advice would have been to treat me like a high school math class… Avoid eye contact and remain still/silent. Otherwise they would get voluntold to participate.
8. Charis was still low-grade feverish yesterday, so while I debated sending her to “Date Night” care (first Saturday of each month) I couldn’t in good conscious do it. Ironically, I wanted to send her so I could write a big final paper for my ETHICS class.
9. I did send Malick, because I can sort of write with Charis present, but not with him. I was able to get a good chunk cranked out in about 3 ish hours (14 pages done, out of the minimum of 10. Probably 8 ish more pages to go to meet the subject requirements). It was hard to concentrate with her mulling around even with a show on the TV. And me trying to write doctoral level research-y writing with a cold. But at least a good chunk of the paper now exists. That’s my typical writing strategy. Just get it out/down, then edit/clean up later after it has marinated.
10. The enemy is really starting to tick me off. I am preaching today (Yay!) so it comes as no surprise for the chaos and challenges of this week (Boo!) Same thing happened when I preached in late January. Does Satan think I’m gonna give up? IT’S NOT GONNA HAPPEN, BRUH. BACK OFF, ya big jerkface!!!
11. If you’ve never heard Kermit the Frog preach the word of God, I invite you to come to Paseo Church this afternoon at 3pm. Because with this cold I still have, it’s gonna be a thing. (And of course, this message includes short bits where I am supposed to sing. This is gonna be rich).
12. GREAT NEWS that is keeping me going: MY DAD IS COMING FOR HIS ANNUAL VISIT THIS WEEK!!!!! After a variety of life events, I didn’t think he was gonna make it. But last minute, he’s coming to play for a week. And it falls during my spring break from school, so we can just explore, nap and enjoy the great West Texas weather. I’m so excited, because it is literally the highlight of my year!!
13. If you see Charis, don’t tell her Paw-Paw is coming. I’m trying to keep it a surprise since he is flying in on her 6th birthday this week. But I’m so pumped, I think I might slip. GAH.
14. Prayer requests: SERIOUSLY, for health on this household!!!! Please, please, PLEASE for these babies (and me) to stop getting sick. I’m so hopeful that the warmer weather here is going to be a game changer very soon. Also, pray for mental clarity this afternoon as I preach… I don’t feel too bad, but my brain is a bit sluggish between this constant cold/sinus headache and the meds I’m taking to fight them. Prayers that I can knock out the rest of my final paper tomorrow. Mama’s mind, soul and body needs an (extended) spring break really bad! Safe and uneventful travels for my Dad on Wednesday, that our time together be rich, run and restful. And of course, for perseverance… We continue to press on, in spite of the challenges (your prayers, encouragement and blessing boxes have been, well, such a blessing!)
15: Parting thought: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” ~2 Corinthians 4:8-9
W30 food prep, week #9: Yes, I cooked a lot of food for this coming week, but that’s because my Dad is coming to visit!! Although you might think this would be a reason to take a week “off” of food prep, it frees up more time to enjoy each other’s company instead of playing “what do you want to eat” game. Plus, going out so eat with small children makes me tired.
From top left: Chicken soup, roasted cauliflower, roasted asparagus, leftover bacon #BecauseKids, hard boiled eggs, sweet potato “buns” and sausage patties for breakfast “sandwiches”, oven roasted red potatoes, Chinese beef and broccoli, fried cauli-rice, egg drop soup, coleslaw, Waldorf chicken salad and plaintain chips (chunks?)
Lest you think all my foods come out perfectly, this week was a bit of a struggle. The instant pot beef and broccoli was over cooked (I thought I followed the instructions but the broccoli is practically mush), egg drop soup is over cooked and likely better made fresh and there is a reason people pound out plantains then put them back together to cook them. Although the texture is off in some of these dishes, it’s all still edible, so I’m rolling with it, counting it a victory amid a week when all three people in this household have been sick.
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“So, what’s deployment like on the home front?”
“It’s like turning on the water to rinse out the tub (when you are already in your PJs) and forgetting that the shower head is engaged. ?
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I’m not a math girl, but I just totaled it up and between two very large research papers and a sermon, I’ve written 68 (double-spaced) pages in the last two weeks. With sick kids. During a deployment.
YOU WIN AGAIN, JESUS!
My brain is gooey, my eyeballs are tired, but my heart is glad… BECAUSE I’M OFFICIALLY ON SPRING BREAK!!! #WheresMyUmbrellaDrink#OhWaitWrongSeasonOfLife #SoGratefulImAWordsGirl
Ok, Flat Daddy. While I truly appreciate your moral support as I finalize (and submit!) my final (32 page!!) paper for this class, your blue eyes are distracting me… #CannotFocus #HelloSpringBreak
It really does take a village to raise Tiny Humans (and attempt to maintain some level of sanity and joy) during a deployment. Last week, we handed our small thank yous to the teachers, front office workers of the child development center and Malick’s childcare providers to celebrate the Halfway Done with deployment mark. So interesting how loving on and appreciating others can encourage your own heart!
PS: Thanks to Sarah Mainwaring and her amazing new business Sarah’s Cookie Boutique for these beautiful cookies! If you are local to Dallas ish area, hit her up!
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Just in case anyone is interested in my current level of adulting: I purchased new floor mats for the Mariner (at Walmart) and I am just this side of giddy. #LivingTheGlamLife
