Challenge Update: Sick Day. I hate being sick, oh so much. I finally got to the point where I was feeling energetic again, then after church yesterday as I was talking with some friends I began to feel that familiar, prickly feeling of fever and weariness. I figured probably this was my body fighting off some of those last remnants of infection, so I just rested and let it do its thing. Kill the evil infection! I slept in this morning - I want to give my body all the help and rest it needs - and I feel much better today. I hope that was the last of this sickness, and I hope that is the last of sickness for a very long time.

Improve Your Life: Clean out your medicine cabinet. We accumulate medicines with every new cold or flu. Take ten minutes and dispose of everything out-dated. Take five more minutes and sort your supplies into emergency/first-aid items and other medicines you use for cold, flu, headache, etc. Be sure you have everything you need in your first-aid kit. Go here to see a recommended supply list.

Be Open-Minded: Most medicines that we use for common sicknesses actually work only to suppress the symptoms. That's okay, but it doesn't help you get better any faster; in fact, suppressing the symptoms might slow the healing process down. A fever, for example, could be your body raising the temperature so that the bacteria causing the infection will be killed (they may not be able to live at a higher temperature). By taking a fever reducer, you keep your body from eliminating the source of the disease. I'm no doctor, so don't take my word for it - do your own research into medicines and symptoms - and consider how you might treat those common, not so serious sicknesses in a way that helps you heal.

09 February - Back in the Saddle Again

I'm still dealing with a very unpleasant cold but am happy to report that I have kicked my drug habit. I find I am able to form sentences again, O happy moment!

I was extremely groggy when I got up this morning, and though tempted I resisted the urge to hit the snooze button. I went to bed before 10 last night but had trouble going to sleep and woke up several times. Joe and I sound like a couple of frogs, and Mara is making Darth-Vader breathing noises from her crib.

Thoughts for the day:

Psalm 3:8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; Thy blessing be upon Thy people.

"There is a difference between striving for excellence and striving for perfection. The first is attainable, gratifying, and healthy. The second is unattainable, frustrating, and neurotic. It is also a terrible waste of time." -Edwin Bliss

07 and 08 February - Drugged

Just say no to drugs. They're no good for monthly challenges.

I took Nyquil two nights in a row and, though I did get up at 5 both mornings, it was only to walk in the other room, turn off the alarm, and stumble back to bed. Sometimes sleep is necessary.

06 February - The Whole Morning Routine Shebang

I actually woke up before the alarm today. Amazing. We went to bed early last night - just before 9 - because we were all sick. This morning, my fever is gone and though I don't feel great, I do feel better. Mara seems better too. Joe still had a high fever when I got up, but the fresh dose of Tylenol did its work well. Today he is scheduled to go to a service school that ensures the shop keeps its Master Service Dealer status.

This challenge is supposed to be a little more than just getting up early every day, though that alone is sufficiently stretching for me. I'm working on establishing a good morning routine, one that will not only get me up at a consistent time every day and give me time to write, read, and pray, but also that will help us to get ready, have breakfast together, and get Joe on the road to work early so he can open up the shop before the technicians arrive. The shop opens at 9 and he is wanting to be there by 8:15.

Morning Routine
5:00 Up, Start Coffee, Dress
Write, Bible Study, Pray, Plan
6:30 To computer - Post on blog, check email
7:00 Wake J. (J. wakes and dresses M.)
7:15 Breakfast
7:30 Clean up kitchen; Prep food for the day.
(J. gets ready to go.)
7:45 Joe leaves; Feed R.
8:00 Maintain: clean, laundry

I can't say we've had perfect success but definitely my consistency in getting up early is helping a lot. We've eaten breakfast, though sometimes running behind; Joe hasn't always made it out the door by 7:45. But we're doing better. We're going through all the steps, but we're still working on the timing. Of course, keeping a morning routine streamlined gets more complicated as more people are involved. Mine, after 6:45, involves my very much NOT-a-morning-person husband and two very little babies who can't do much for themselves yet.

Can I just take this opportunity, however, to say that babies are so much fun? I heard so many negative comments and stories when I was pregnant with Mara, and then even more when I was pregnant with Robbie. People predicted dire stress, never again getting a good night's sleep, years of frustration, not a moment to sit down, no time for myself, etc.

Some of that is true, yes. It is stressful when I'm nursing Robbie and Mara falls down and I can't pick her up and cuddle her. I have definitely lost quite a few good nights of sleep. I've been frustrated when Robbie is fussy for reasons I cannot ascertain or Mara is pushing the line just to push it. And there is no such thing as a day off from being a Mommy. Even when we get our family to babysit and we go out by ourselves, I can't help thinking about them and missing them and I love getting them back in my arms again.

However, what most people didn't mention was how much fun they are, how rewarding it is to care for these little children that God let me help create. I love hearing Mara say, "Ma-ma, Da-da." I'm fascinated by all the little expressions on her face and the sweet, playful personality she already displays. I love watching Robbie smile and coo and gurgle at me when I talk to him. I love cuddling with both of them. I love Mara's chubby cheeks pushed up in a smile and Robbie's long fingers wrapping around one of mine. I love watching Joe with them.

Children are a heritage, a blessing, a reward, a delight, a gift beyond price. Sure, there are difficult times and sacrifices to make. It's so worth it.