Classic instrumental Christmas music softly plays in the background.  Staring at the computer screen, one can almost imagine a peaceful and serene home, glowing candlelight, contented children, an empty, freshly shined sink and an elaborate feast awaiting the family in the dining room. 

Then.. there's reality.

The house is in complete disarray due to having holiday decorations strewn stem to stern.  This was the year that every single light on our garlands chose to glow no mo.  Imagine, probably 60 to 70 ft. of lighted garland has to be stripped of their lights.  These garlands have been graced with the same lights for going on ten years now.  Can someone tell me why I was shocked when they didn't illuminate??

Removing these lights is not an easy task.  They're woven together, electric wire and greenery.  Well, more than woven, they're more like assimilated to one another.  Pulling that apart is like doing major surgery.

After 3 broken fingernails, scratches and little artificial green needles all over the house, two surgeries are complete and new lights have been applied.  So much left to do.  Better get back to it.  There's a picture in my head, the one I hope to attain, the one mentioned at the beginning of this blog.  Sometimes taking a break and letting myself "go there" for just a few minutes, encourages me to keep moving forward.

We're not in heaven yet, but somedays, just sitting down and imagining what it will be like.. a peaceful crystal sea, colors we can't even imagine, the Savior's face, the eternal hope becoming tangible, it keeps us moving on.  Things ripped apart, decay, disease, broken hearts and wounded souls, it's all major surgery, but one day, the new will come.  The light will shine and OH! The Joy!  The rest!  The peace. All will be as intended and there won't be one single dish in the sink.

I know it's hokey.  I know it's overdone.  But I couldn't resist.  It made my kids laugh, and that is a good thing.   The littlest boy cracked me up though.. he asked me, "Is that Jump Up?"  I hesitated because I wasn't sure what he was asking then it hit me.. "No son, that's Hip Hop!" 

The flu is in our midst. 

First the oldest.  Then the girl.  Now the littlest boy.  My mind is swirling with my "to do's" that won't be "to done" and the task of eradicating the germies once the sickness has passed.  I'm pretty exhausted from being up with the girl while she's been sick and now with the littlest boy coming down with it, I'm sure sleep will be very fleeting.  The worse part has been how difficult to see the children, no matter their age, in such discomfort. 

But there have been blessings, yes there have.  The biggest one is being able to actually spend a little time with the oldest.  He's been gone, most of the time, due to work, socializing and fiance'.  I rarely see him anymore, so this last week which kept him pinned at home has actually been nice.  It felt good to be able to care for him again, just a bit.  Reminded me of all the days I cared for the little boy.  My work is truly done with this one, so what a blessing to "be there" for him through this illness.

The other blessing has been to just sit and hold my littles.  Usually our days are packed with activity and busy things.  Rare are the moments when we sit, cuddle and read books.  Having sick children gives you an excuse to do just that.  It's also been interesting, having a big and littles sick at the same time.  Perspective is much more clear when you have children on both ends of the age spectrum.  Again, it reminds you how quickly it all goes by and to savor the moments.

All in all, it's been a good week.  I'm marking this bug down as a gift.  It's going to go a long way to protect from future illnesses and it's also giving us time... slowed down, sweet time.  Even if accompanied by coughs, runny noses and fevers, I'll be thankful.