One of Those Weeks

We all have them every once in a while.  One of those weeks that you are burning the candle at both ends.  Last week was one of them.  My husband was gone on a well-deserved trip with his dad.   Somehow we all made it through unscathed...well almost.

The bus did get a flat tire while I was picking up kids for youth activities.  Thank goodness we are all safe.

I had to be in three places at once on several occasions.  Thank goodness for great leaders and a wonderful mother - in - love who wasn't afraid to take home a route for me.

I had planned several big events this week...I will think twice about that next time.

I over slept one morning after staying up way too late working on things...thankfully mother-in-love was here to take the kids to school.  

Have I told you how awesome my mother-in-love is?

Absence Makes the Heart Grow...Fonder???

After weeks of camps, TMI, and TYI, we are all finally back under one roof. That means that we are sharing living space again with each other. It means that we are doing laundry for four people (and a dog) instead of just ourselves.

It means cooking full meals instead of "grabbing what we can."

After four weeks of separation, we have to learn how to navigate between the piles of laundry, the library books, and dog toys without stepping on one another. It means that family meal times are back in play with devotions, and soon homework time will fill our table with pencils, paper, protractors, and rulers! My husband and I have to relearn how to share bathroom space, coordinate schedules, and tiptoe around each other when the other is sleeping. In fact, I have had to find a new place to blow dry my hair.

Although our world on this side of the tunic is chaotic, I wouldn't trade it for the world!!!

When Sickness Prevails...

I have been struggling to keep up with writing, but hoping that some new found motivation will keep me on a more consistent path.  The last few months have been filled with meetings, kettles, Christmas, a trip to South Carolina, and more recently...sickness.  First Thing 2, then a week later Thing 1, a week after that it was my turn.  Being sick or taking care of sick kids can wreak havoc on a ministry that depends on you for guidance and implementation.  Thankfully, in our current appointment, I have some fabulous leaders that can step in, in a pinch.  Of course, it doesn't stop my husband from hyperventilating at the thought of running things by himself in my absence. 

The past few weeks were a good reminder that developing leaders for all of our programs is essential.  There are many appointments, where this may seem like a huge feat.  In fact, it might be impossible.  So what happens when the kids are sick, and your spouse is left to fend for himself during youth activities?  I asked my friends in the Sallie*Mom Facebook group and they come up with some fabulous suggestions.

Create a "Sick Bay" for your sick kid to hang out in, perhaps in your office or other room in the building.  If your children are too young to stay in a separate room on their own, this may not work, unless you can find a responsible teenager or adult to watch them.  This would be perfect if you are short staffed and the sick one is responsible enough to stay in the room.  When Thing 1 got sick last week, my husband was in charge of the guitar class.  I had no alternate teacher.  Thing 1 was able to stay in my office and watch a TV show through the internet until the guitar class was finished.  I was able to take over activities from there, and they were able to go home for the rest of the night.

Find a Sitter.  This may not always be possible, but would be beneficial if the child is too sick to even venture out doors. 

Stay Home.  Sometimes you just have to stay home with the kids.  It may require some creative solutions on your part to get your activities done.  Last week, we were short staffed, so we made a decision to have movie night for youth activities.  It kept the youth entertained and contained! 

The important thing is to do what works for you and your family!  In what ways have you had to creatively provide for your sick kids?  What things do you do, when you find yourself short-staffed for activities at the corps?

~C