Learn from it. Or at least be grateful.

I feel like I've slowly crawled out from under a very dark, very deep, very uncomfortable hole in the ground.  A respiratory infection, bronchial misery, fever and coughing fits. . . hole.

It all started two weeks ago on Friday before the football game.  My throat felt itchy, my voice started to go.  I didn't feel sick, but something was definitely off.  Allergies, I thought.  For sure. Because. . . Oklahoma.  And maybe God didn't want me to be able to yell at the football game anyway, right?

I don't know when it clicked that I was sick.  I was SO tired after the football game.  So.  Tired.  But I had been unusually tired lately.  And why not?

Maybe during the night?  I'm not sure exactly when, but I went from "I don't feel so hot" to "I'm dying" in about an hour.  Haven't been that sick and miserable in years.  Spent all day Saturday in bed sleeping.  Then I couldn't breathe anymore so I couldn't sleep Saturday night and most of Sunday.  Tossing and turning and coughing and wheezing and wondering what would happen if I did actually stop breathing.  Would I be able to wake the Coach?  He's a pretty sound sleeper.

Thanks to our wonderful doctor and some meds on Sunday night, I perked up enough by Monday (holiday, of course) to get sort of ready for the school week.  Even managed a little bit of a walk on Tuesday after the kids left for school.

But something about volleyball and road trips to Tulsa and another football game and just. so. tired.

13 days later I'm finally feeling somewhat back to normal.

I think the lesson here is that when you are completely and totally worn out?  Even the smallest little thing can knock you flat.

And maybe another lesson is that running with my Coach at 5am isn't for me.  I don't know how he does it.

And one more?  Turns out you can't go and go and go and not suffer the consequences.

I've been taking it easier this week.  Resting more.  Running around less.  Not running at all (workout wise).  I'll pay for it at some point.  The list is long and getting longer.

Maybe the greatest lesson of all?  I don't have this whole thing figured out.  This mom/eight kids/college/senior/high school/junior high/grade school/football/volleyball/wife/homemaker thing.  It's a lot.  And "balance" (whatever that is) is illusive.   Even when I have the best Coach and great kids and the most wonderful family and everyone is doing well.

But on the bright side?  While I was sick?  The Coach and the kids handled the house, the yard work, the extra lawns, the hosting family at the farm for the holiday, the laundry, meals, schoolwork. . .

And they did it all beautifully.

So maybe it's not so bad, after all.  Now that I can breathe.


Happy Wednesday.

Week Three and Counting

I've been looking forward to this day for weeks.  The first day I've had without constant appointments and things to rush to from dawn to dusk.  So nice.

I set it aside in my head way back then as the first chance I'd have to catch up around here.  In the blogging sense.  Because the laundry and the blogging can't both be priorities, you know.

We got Sister moved back to school - new dorm, new room, happy as can be.  Sophomore year of college here we come! I'm so very grateful for her sweet friends who take such good care of her when I can't.  For her love for her studies.  For her heart.

Then the next day, school for the rest of the troops.  Senior, Sophomore, Freshman, 8th, 6th, 3rd.  I'm not sure how that's even possible.  Little Man in THIRD grade?  Whew!

A sweet friend gave me this mug at our first scrimmage.  So much love for this!  Although you know what?  After 22 years, the Coach and I are learning how to navigate this time of the year SO much better.  Well, HE is really the one who gets the credit.  Not just date nights, but early morning runs, driving to events, we enjoy every moment we have together.

Son #1 got home from his wrangler job at the ranch weekend before last.  He spent one day visiting with family and one day running errands and packing.  Then off to his Junior year of college.  (Isn't he handsome?)  He hasn't really been home for any length of time since he left two years ago.  I miss him.  When we DO have time together?  I'm amazed at what a wonderful young man he is.   Please don't remind me he'll be 21 this Fall.  

The Coach and I went down with him and helped move him back in to his dorm.  We got to visit and have lunch and SWEAT - because Texas.  So hot.  Then the Coach and I were headed back home the same day - too much going on at home to stay overnight.  

Somewhat of a gift, actually.  Both the time with our boy AND time for the Coach and I.  Except about an hour and a half from home, the transmission went out in our car.  So there we were, stranded on the side of the road, out in the middle of nowhere, at night.

Let's just say, I've never laughed more.  I'm pretty sure the laughter from that night has carried us through this last week or so and all that we've had going on.  Can't believe in 22 years we've never had car trouble on a trip!

And the Coach? Well, he's quite the guy.  Fits in just about anywhere.  Ha!  You know you are married to the best guy ever when being stranded with car trouble for three hours ends up being hilarious.

So, with both big kids settled back at their schools, and the troops in their second week of school here, we set out to start football season.  First with a mom's night, getting to hear from the coaches and learning my boys positions.  We even got to run the ball and catch a few passes.  So fun!

The season opener was last Friday.  First touchdown of the season?  Son (#3).  Second touchdown of the season?  Son (#4).  That's what I'm talking about!!

This week may be a little big tougher.  But we'll be there cheering them on, anyway.  These years, these kids, these seasons, all going so quickly.  I love it all.

Wednesday we celebrated Son's (#3) 18th birthday.  I just can't seem to be able to slow it all down.  Sigh.   If I try to describe what this boy means to me (just like the other 7 - ha!), I get all choked up.  How do I even begin?  Every single one of them have my heart.

You know, life is super busy, super exhausting, and super wonderful.  In spite of the chaos, I wouldn't trade it for the world.  How I love my people.  Our family.  Our school.  

My very tired self has a heart that is overflowing with gratitude.  Thank you, Jesus, for these gifts.

Happy Friday!  GO BIG BLUE!