Lesson Learned in the Midst of Minor Illness(es) :-)

So, this winter has proven to be one of the worst we've dealt with concerning illness. It began the week before Christmas, when a couple of boys came down with strep and 1 with an ear infection. They got over that, and felt "okay" on Christmas day and through the weekend. I got to go to church that weekend! Thanks to my parents, who willingly stayed home with the recouping boys.
All was well on Monday. I was praising God that day, for a day of everyone feeling pretty good. It seemed that we'd made it through the week of illness and could move on with our fun winter festivities. Perhaps bake and decorate some cookies that the boys hadn't felt like making. At the very least, put away new toys and games that we'd received for Christmas.
Tuesday morning I was awakened by our 7 year old. He said, "Mommy, I'm really sorry to wake you. But, I just threw up all over my bed." He was followed by his older brother 2 hours later.We spent that day with buckets at an arms length. That night, our 5 year old got sick as well. They were all feeling better by Wednesday evening. I am thankful for this....because... Thursday morning, the tummy virus struck me.Then, early Friday morning, Dave was hit with it.
The following week was a pretty decent one. Although, we all struggled with upset tummies now and then, and couldn't quite regain our strength. The entire week, my prayer was for God to please fully restore our health, so that we could be who He needed us to be.
The following Saturday night, I found myself still not feeling totally "with it". I was still tired, and not understanding why. I felt that I should be over feeling badly at that point. I pleaded to God that night. I remember my prayer vividly, as I prayed that God would restore my health so that I could face the daily spiritual battle that we're in renewed. I didn't want to continue to have health burdens to distract me and not allow me to be the wife, mother, friend, etc.. that He needed me to be.
I woke up at 1 a.m. with what I'm pretty certain was food poisoning, and was sick for the next 24 hours.
The next few days proved to be better. The boys and I were able to get schoolwork accomplished. We even made it to church on Wednesday evening!
Then, Thursday morning, I woke up feeling slightly congested. By Friday morning, my throat was a roaring fire. I knew I had to see the doctor, where I was diagnosed with strep throat. I'm happy to say that, after a healthy dose of antibiotics, my throat healed within 3 days.
I share all of this not to complain. I'm certain that when I read these memories years from now, that I will laugh, and remember that through it all, God was teaching me.
Not to bore you with the details of our up and down battle with illnesses, but I think you'll now understand when I say I've had a lot of time to sit, pray, read and think. During this time, God showed me some areas in my life that needed some discipline. He also enlightened me that my to-do-list needed to be flip-flopped. What I'd thought was the most important simply wasn't.
My original list had the fix-ups that need to be done on our main floor, the one that everyone sees when they walk in. On the bottom of the list was a room that is a designated craft/creative area. I know, there are many of you out there who would love to have an area that you could designate for just this, and would use it constantly. I, however, had set it up nicely 4 years ago, used it for the first year we were here, and pretty much "let it go". Sure, I'd venture in and grab some supplies for the boys to do a project every now and then. Then, we'd toss the supplies back in there when we finished. It had gotten terribly out of hand. Meanwhile, I had 4 children who love to create. It dawned on me that we're constantly telling them to be creative, use their brains. We restrict their time on video games and the like, but I hadn't made it feasible for them to be able to create on their own accord. No, instead of being the last room to conquer, it became the first.
I cannot tell you how wonderfully gratifying it's been to see my children go in to that room and create. Everything they could need is at an arms reach, and they are all enjoying the freedom of being able to use their creativity whenever they get the opportunity and desire.

We've continued to work our way through the to-do-list. We've now cleaned out bedrooms, the playroom and school supply area. It's so very refreshing to go and easily pull a science experiment, or a game to play with the boys. I, and my family have benefited greatlyThe goal is to get to the things that were originally on the top of the list, but they're somewhere near the bottom now. I'm determined though to conquer all of the indoor stuff before the warm weather breaks. Until they're completed, please excuse my house if there are still some marks on the paint, and the baseboard's cracked or crooked. The boys got RipSticks (similar to a skateboard) for Christmas, and until warm weather comes, the only place they have to ride them is the living room hallway.

:-)

I feel as though God lit a fire under me, so to speak. I kept hearing, "Make things more functional, so that you have the time to do the "extras". But, don't do it merely for asthetics. Do it for your family who lives in this home. Just do it!" No, this isn't a Nike plug. 

If I could encourage you though. If there's a project that you've been putting off, thinking that it's not hurting anyone by not getting completed, dive in and get it done. I know I've felt so much better walking in to those rooms. I'm thinking you will too.