Reflective Sarah

Matt kept Liam during the day for a few days this week over break. That was the first time he's ever done that! I decided to put Sam in daycare as well, just to stick to our routine. Without realizing or planning it, I ended up with two kid free days. Holy moley.  Yesterday i worked on Sam's room and took the dresser downstairs for Odila to take. Then i went to Christine's. She was in a similar situation so we met up for coffee. Such fun times!  I went for a run and them I showered.  Today i spent the morning organizing the first floor, putting dishes away etc. Then i met Jill and Christine for coffee at Ragged Edge and a walk. We walked to the school but then went to Culps Hill. Then we took the long way down. 5 miles later... what a day.  I enjoyed these two days. I really needed the break!

Explaining faith to my autistic kiddo. After leaving my mom's house on Christmas Eve. Liam asked about Jesus coming again. How do we know? Does everyone believe that? We talked a bit about the Book of Revelations and then I recited a bit from the Apostles Creed. Liam was quiet. Then: "Okay, but who is seated at the left hand of God?"

 So Samuel woke up on Sunday 12/18 with a runny nose. It wasn't bad so I wasn't too worried. But by Wednesday he was full on sick, fever and everything. He was sleeping horribly. I'd put him down at 7, he'd wake up at 9, 10:30, 1, 3, and 4:45. Usually at 4:45 he'd be up for the day 🥱😴 I took him to the doctor in Fri the 23rd. Ear infection. Wah! Sadly by that point my mom was getting sick too. So our Christmas plans got thrown off a bit. Mom didn't come to Christmas dinner and our family gathering got rescheduled to Thursday. It is 6am on Tues 12/27 and Sam finally slept through the night! 

 I made this recipe for a friend who just had surgery. It turned out well, I think!  https://www.tosimplyinspire.com/classic-meatless-baked-ziti.html#recipe

We had SO much rain over the last few days. It was possibly going to be a winter storm but the temperatures were too warm. So we got RAIN! So much rain. Given the drainage issues in my backyard, I was very worried!  Yesterday morning I checked the basement. Still dry. But the dump pump was running every 20 seconds and I could hear water in the basement... so I went to check the drain pipe. It was inundated! Covered in water, the water just wasn't clearing out.  So I cleared it! I dug out the grass around the drain and then realized it wasn't moving downward in the swale. So I trenched out the swale as well. It was a muddy task but so worth it. Temps dropped to 3 degrees overnight and the groundwater froze and expanded!  The first picture is just after I cleared a bunch of leaves from the pipe. Then me digging, then the frozen area this morning. 

Chrissy had Covid last week. So I got to keep Liam for what would have been Matt's days. I've had him for 9 straight days! 9 glorious days.  We have had such a wonderful time. To be honest I haven't wanted a break. I haven't wanted time away from him. I've been savoring every single blessed moment with him here. He's been so sweet with Sam and so affectionate with both of us. I've gotten so many hugs!

They tell you to hold the baby. They tell you that everything else can fall by the wayside. They tell you to forget about your to-do list, because that sweet, little babe is so worth snuggling. Worth the unwashed dishes and unswept floors. But they fail to mention how that baby grows. That little one who once rested so perfectly upon your chest doesn’t fit there quite so well anymore. And you forget to hold the baby. You forget that everything else can fall by the wayside. You forget that it’s okay to forget about your to-do list, because that sweet, bigger babe is still worth snuggling. Worth the unfolded laundry and unloaded dishwasher. And that babe, your growing babe, still needs you. Still needs you to focus on her alone. Still needs you to leave the papers piled on the counter to attend the tea party. Still needs you to pause the vacuuming for an impromptu game of hide-and-seek. Still needs you to take him in your arms and envelop him in your unconditional love. Because there wil...