"It's just a cold..."

In my opinion, these 4 words are among the most annoyingly dissappointing words a frazzled mother can hear. Now don't get me wrong. I'll take this diagnosis over some of my less happy diagnoses such as croupe (sp?), RSV, whooping cough, etc, etc, etc, any day. But somehow when a normally sweeter-than-pure-cane-sugar 10 month-old turns into a whining, ornery, scorchingly hot-to-the-touch, lethargic glob of misery, you hope that your $20 co-pay will give you a bit more bang for your buck! Ear infection? Antibiotic! Strep throat? Antibiotic! "Just a cold?" Nothing more than a helpful, "Continue to do what you've been doing for the last 4 or more days and come back if it gets worse." In my seasoned years of being a mommy, I have learned that this particular set of instructions is followed up in one of two ways. A) You suffer for another week or so with no sleep, high temps, crying, suffering, helplessness and then eventually all is well. Or, B) You suffer for another week or so with no sleep, high temps, crying, suffering, helplessness and then you end up paying another $20 (or $35 since you usually end up in the after-hours clinic) to see that your child now has strep throat, an ear infection, or still (drumroll.....) "just a cold."

I need to remember to be thankful!

Sadly I catch myself getting caught up too often in thinking about the things I have to do. I love my job, but many days I have a hard time wanting to go to work. What I am trying to do is focus on the things I get to do, the things I love and enjoy, the things I am happy for in my life...

I am thankful that I get to spend half of my mornings with just Gavin and Sadie. I love this special time to interact with them more one-on-one. Gavin has afternoon kindergarten and so I enjoy spending these mornings with him doing homework, reading books, goofing off, and just being together. He is such a fun kid and he makes me laugh every day...

I am thankful that I have happy, healthy kids. Sadie is such a joy in our home. I can't imagine life without her. She has such a sweet disposition and her brothers and sister just love her to pieces. I can't get enough of the kisses, snuggles, and giggles. She is at such a fun stage where she interacts by playing peek-a-boo, doing pat-a-cakes and soooo-bigs. She mimics us with raspberries, cocking her head to one side with a smile, and "talking" to us. She is mobile enough to get where she wants to be but not too mobile as to get into a lot of trouble. I know that'll be coming any day now...I am thankful that my kids love each other. Sure, we have our fair share of sibling squabbles but for the most part, they love being around one another. And, they all LOVE baby Sadie. You never know how kids will react to an addition to the family. I must confess I was a bit nervous Gavin would throw some fits since he had been the baby for 5 years. But, he loves his sister and watches out for her. I am thankful that Sadie isn't ashamed of her perpetual "Bed-head" look. She also is such a trooper when it's time to get the snarls out. She sits still and doesn't let out a squawk. She'll let me put rubber bands in her hair, clips, or barretts. She's fine with it all. I know I'm lucky to have that!

I am especially grateful at this troublesome time that Gary and I both have steady incomes in a stable profession. It also doesn't hurt that we have our nights, weekends, and summers together! We are lucky to have the things that we have. We are blessed with so much and I just need to remember not to take any of it for granted.

Now I feel like I should say Amen, or something.

So, Amen. :)