It can always get worse.

Always.

:-)

I'm a bit of a pessimist. You all who know me well know that. But the truth? I have peace and hope in my heart, even if I feel discouraged. Truly.

Last night, though, things seemed pretty dismal. Son #1 stuck in London. And yes, I know "stuck" in London probably sounds wrong to you. But he's been gone 18 days. 18! And he's only 13. 13! (sorry, sometimes I get dramatic) Never been away from him this long. And I'm simply ACHING to hear about his time in Africa. And the baking I'd done? Had to go in the freezer. Which just isn't the same!

Along with wondering if they would EVER make it back, the Coach and Sons (#3) and (#4) left, as well.

And I'm all for time with my girls - really!

But with the Coach still sick, the timing seemed a bit difficult.

Basically, I was one big whiny pants last night. The Coach didn't call, I was super tired, the girls had FUN. Too much fun, really. I had the dickens of a time getting them settled and into bed. Had a hard time getting to sleep without the Coach - I always do. And forgot to take a sleeping pill early enough in the evening.

By the time I crawled into bed, I was tired and already had one of the girls sleeping beside me with a tummy ache.

Can you see where this is going?

That particular daughter slept just fine. But about 2:30 AM, another little face whispered "Mommy" and after getting her settled on a pallet on the floor beside me, I fell back to sleep.

Only to be awakened and hour later by what must be the worst sound in the entire universe.

Yep.

I hadn't had the opportunity to wash my new dust ruffle, yet. But I did today. And the pillow shams and all of the bedding on my entire bed. And the carpet. Enough said.

But you know what? In spite of it all, it wasn't a bad day. Really. Yeah, the poor thing was sick. But on the other hand? I had to cancel my plans. Stay home. Sit with her. Comfort her. And do my Lysol/Clorox Wipes/Febreeze/Candles/Million loads of laundry routine.

But all in all, it was OK. Even without the Coach to whine to, even without my mom here to help, or Son #1 here to babysit so I could get to the grocery store for Ginger Ale (daughter #2 had volleyball).

And you know what that teaches me? Once, again? God's grace IS sufficient. Always.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My perspective is a bit more positive tonight:

~Son (#1) and my parents actually have tickets for a flight arriving home tomorrow afternoon. Woohoo! Finally!

~The Coach called and thinks he might feel a bit (?) better (isn't he just incredibly handsome?).

~The boys are having a great time at football camp.

~Daughter (#7) is back to her bouncy and extremely loud self.

~No one else has gone down, yet.

~I ended up getting the grocery shopping done, after all - just a bit later in the day.

~God provided a sweet friend to take Daughter (#2) to practice at school (so I didn't have to load up everyone with towels and bowls) and a sweet niece to bring her home.

~We had another fun girls' night with a movie and chicken sandwiches and lemonade.

~And in a mere two days, all of the troops (Lord willing) will be back under the same roof, once again, for the first time in three weeks.

I may not sleep well tonight.

Someone else may get sick (and it could be me).

The Coach still has two more nights away.

And I know Son (#1) is coming home TIRED and with some really stinky laundry.

But I am reminded once, again, that God's grace is sufficient for it all. Always. And next time I feel discouraged, I'm going to count my blessings a little bit sooner. There are so very many!