two steps forward, no steps back

Seven kids alone teaches me how to let the schedule adapt.

Samuel, and his medical adventures — leading up to the diagnosis of Celiac Disease — has really taught me to take it one day at a time.

So now, I’ve had to remind myself that it’s okay if the “to-do” list doesn’t get accomplished. That in the scheme of things those things don’t really matter.

Yesterday, Samuel was diagnosed with pneumonia. All from that bummer cold that we’ve been dealing with for the last week.

I’ve dealt with it before. I don’t like it. But, we will manage, and Samuel will get better. Until then?  We cook easier meals — including the wonderful gluten free rotisseire chicken that our local grocery store makes. We do laundry only as needed — and let the rest pile up. We switch up our academics. More reading, more math pages, less hands on projects. We’ll watch educational movies. And take extra naps.

It feels like two steps forward and a step back. But, I guess in the scheme of life we’re still moving forward and not really taking that step back. Living the life the Lord has blessed us to live. Looking for joy in the little things. Like the pharmacist at Target who knows Samuel and calls him “her sweet boy” as she’s checking me out. That Chloe and Hannah , once again, decided to make special meals and help with dinner. Watching Elijah sing songs to Samuel as he falls asleep. Grateful for the rocking chair — even though we’ve had it since we were married and it’s horribly out of style — that I can sit in with Samuel and rock back and forth. Loving the changing of leaves around. Or the smells of autumn as they drift in the house. Grateful for nebulizer machines and albuterol as well. And for doctors who care and listen.

I guess I’m not really stepping back much at all. We’re still going. The path may be a bit different than the one I had tentatively planned out several weeks ago. That’s okay.

I’m grateful for today – and that real soon, my sweet Samuel, will be looking just as good as he does in the pictures in this post. And, of course, that gives me good reason to share my new favorite picture of him once again with you all. Love that boy.

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for those of who you saw my status update on my facebook page and/or twitter about Samuel thank you so much for praying for him.