It's the Little Things.....

Don't these look great?

I treated my 10 year old ballerina to these for lunch (minus the maple syrup).

She had to take a "sick" day today although technically, according to the on-call dr. last evening, she could have gone to school.

BUT...it's the little things.......

It all began with walking into the kitchen to help set the table for dinner last evening.
We all were actually home to enjoy a real meal! First time all week!
I said "oh my goodness, I think you have pink eye".
Claire didn't think so. (yeah, she isn't too keen on the eye drops!)
She had had her first head cold 2 wks ago with minor symptoms. I never get worried about my children when they are sick as they are rarely ill.

BUT.....something told me this might be more than viral since it was going around the schools.

So off to Urgent Care we went, which by the way, I do not recommend. I think I would have waited less time if I had gone to the emergency room of one of the city hospitals.
But...I didn't want to be one of "those parents"....the kind who flood the ER for MINOR problems......

So...after waiting 35 min to check in and then another hour and 20 min to be seen, we had a prescription in hand even tho doc said it was just viral. I was NOT going to leave there without something for her eyes.....especially because, as a teacher, I have discovered that all too often what is known as "viral pink eye" ends up being bacterial. And an antibiotic is needed. And I sure did not wanna end up back at the urgent care center........I much prefer our own doctors!

We chose the ointment and today.....her eye is clear! halleluia!

I technically could have let her go to school.
My darling husband offered to stay home this a.m. so I could go in to my teaching job....knowing that Thursdays are my "short days" (meaning I get out at 11). So after 3 hours of dealing with some very special kindergartners, I came home to relieve my husband (yes, he had to go back to work) and enjoy an afternoon with my ballerina.

And I'll tell you: her love language is definitely acts of service.
She wanted me to make her bed (my girls make their own)...which I did as I wanted to put fresh sheets on anyways.....
and she wanted pancakes for lunch....she was surprised I agreed to this. But....by doing things for her and with her, she is feeling "full" of love. (read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, if you haven't already.....)

I decided since we only have our children for such a short time....we really need to just enjoy them!
Daily life with 2 active daughters is often so stressful and busy.
The first 3 evenings of the week we can't even eat together as a family due to Youth Group, HizKidz and then Tuesday Ballet classes. Wednesdays are precious to us as we are all together, usually, for dinner. But usually I dash out the door after gulping down dinner to do a 1:1 Bible study with a friend. Thursdays my husband dashes off to run a small group for senior high boys......so the few evenings we ARE together are just precious to us.

I had this afternoon all planned out on Sunday. I would check out yet more tile for our downstairs bathroom "makeover", work on my Bible study, work on Snapfish albums, and bake.

Rather, the Lord wanted me to just enjoy my Claire. None of those things on my "to do" list are getting done (other than I did download some pics onto my Snapfish page)

So.....after her lunch of pancakes....we chatted.....5th graders are amazing and often very insightful!
Yes she should be practicing her violin and studying her vocab cards for Social Studies.

But....she is enjoying a computer game while I am on this one writing this post.

My excuse is that I am down here waiting for the laundry to be done.

Her excuse? She took a sick day and needs to rest........and be next to Mom.

yup...it's the little things....just so precious.

and maybe we'll have more pancakes for dinner.......

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord,
children a reward from Him."
Psalm 127:3