What a week.
Full of good moments, new life, also full of change, loss, grief, strain, disruptions to my comfortable routine.
My Dad came up to be here with us for Lily’s birth. Over the weekend, we received word of my Grandfather’s death.
Monday morning we went to the hospital, and Monday evening we met Lily.
Our air conditioner broke, our washing machine broke, and when we came home on Wednesday Robbie was running a high fever. Turns out all 3 kids have strep throat, which they passed along to my sister-in-law who had been keeping them.
I wasn’t planning a trip to the doctor with all four kids, but on the next Monday, with one-week-old Lily, that’s where I was.
Newborn diapers, antibiotics, Children’s Tylenol, backed-up laundry relieved by my in-laws taking home two huge bags of dirty clothes and returning them fresh and clean and folded.
Power went out so we had to cancel the air conditioner guy; then power back on, and warmer sunny days, and more laundry waiting for me. The kids are feeling better, then Joe comes home sick. Storms roll through. The weather is cool and clean. The AC guy comes and tell us someone else – a mutual friend – has paid for our service. Unexpected reprieve, grace like the misting rain outside.
We’ll hear back from the doctor today on Joe. We’ll get the belt for the washer. We’ll see the days come and go. Lily is 1 1/2 weeks old, soon it will be 1 1/2 years and then nonstop into growing up, flying by, days whirring and humming, sometimes the gears wrenching, sometimes the rhythm breaking, but soon enough it settles and continues.
Blessed chaos, signs of life
May the wealth entrusted to my care
Be safe in my hands.
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Photos: the good ones are by
Synergy Photography.
Congratulations on the addition. So sorry there was a loss at the same time.
I just about cried, in a good way, when I saw the shoes lined up. Sometimes it’s the little things like that – seeing little shoes or Legos left out that remind you how precious these guys are.
I haven’t visited your blog in a long time. You’ve done some good work! I love the “new” (since I’m not sure how long it’s been like this) design.