For three weeks we’ve been battling one domestic dilemma after another. From colds, to migraines, to coughs, to infections. Trying to homeschool a sleeping boy has been difficult (cough, cough through the night, and sleep, sleep during the day). Trying to tend to others when I’ve been unwell myself has been interesting. (My bed has looked so inviting, that I’ve stopped walking by my room.) Cleaning, washing, nursing, slogging back and forth to the pharmacy, making herbal concoctions, and canceling everything. It has been a moment by moment world.
Somehow, in the midst of the madness, we had a Sunday birthday celebration. (Built two birdhouses with papa, goofed around with grandpa, carved a happy pumpkin with grandma [while I slept] made homemade pizza, and roasted marshmallows in the fireplace.)
Somehow, Halloween came and went. Our neighborhood, for better or for worse, is Halloween Central. I get to greet all the little, amazing, beautiful children at our front door and look into their eyes and laugh with them. But it’s true that we have a witch who lives next door. She loves frightening all the little people–so we took her a batch of rosemary rolls yesterday–as a peace-keeping measure–because John Ronan, now that he realizes this, isn’t liking living next door to a part-time witch.
And somewhere in there I managed to bake two wonderful, delicious loaves of pumpkin bread. See, it isn’t all laundry and scrubbing.
And seriously, living moment by moment is one of mankind’s better inspirations. Focusing all my energy on one little sick person, or on one task, has transported this ever-healing phrase from the deep places of my heart, up through whatever nerves carry prayers, and has landed it on my whispering lips,
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.
The Woman and the Wheat 
oh Jane! so beautiful. It has been a tough last month around here too with colds and strep and ears etc. and *most* of the time we’ve been riding the waves smoothly- however 🙂 there were those times when I felt like- “well, wow, I could have handled that better,” but then those were the times I felt most connected too– when acknowledging together how we felt. I am hoping that you are coming out of the craziness and ready to enjoy the holidays! Looked like such a fun birthday for John Ronan~
…and still, you make time to take lovely photographs, and be thoughtful enough to write this blog. Truly amazing!
It’s been moment by moment here too, and thank God. I have applesauce on the stove, made from apples from the tree of a lovely neighbor and pumpkin bread fixin’s on the counter. It’s the small things. Thanks for the reminder and also the knowledge that I’m not alone. Lord have mercy.