— 1 —
From Instagram last Friday: Whew! Just spent the last two hours hand scrubbing the tile and wood floors… (while Sean and the kids worked on the bedrooms and vacuuming the carpets!) Time for our family rosary and then bedtime for all the little ones. It is going to be so nice to start the weekend (and the rest of the to-do list) with a clean home, following a productive school week!
Is it really Friday already? I didn’t intend to take the week off blogging, but God had other plans for me… Apparently I over did it last week, while still recovering from the H1N1 flu that had gone through our home, and after pushing myself through the weekend, I ended up coming home from our Latin Mass Sunday evening and climbing straight into bed with a horrible ear ache. My husband called my doctors office first thing Monday morning and I didn’t get back out of bed until the appointment he set up on Tuesday afternoon. I ended up coming home with antibiotics for the infections in both ears (including a double infection on one side) and a sinus infection. I’ve been so incredibly weak and the little energy I’ve had has been spent on meals and home educating. Please forgive me if I owe you an email… It’s going to take me a little while to catch up online.
— 2 —
We were suppose to be on our way to see the specialist for our oldest son today, but yesterday I ended up rescheduling the appointment for next Thursday. I just don’t have the strength for the trip yet (it’s a five hour drive each way) and Sean had a work commitment come up for this morning as well. I hated to postpone the trip, but so thankful they are able to squeeze us in next week instead! Please continue to keep our oldest son in your prayers as we search for answers to his health issues.
— 3 —
I’ve received a few prayer requests in my inbox this week… I’m praying for all the intentions and wanted to pass along this email to you all. Please keep Michaela in your prayers!
“We have a friend that was diagnosed with cancer in November. She is the oldest of 9 children. She has had chemo and reconstructive surgery to remove the tumor. Unfortunately the tumor is chemo resistant and she will have to have more intense chemo for a longer period. I was hoping you would be willing to spread the word about Michaela. Her family is requesting prayer (most importantly) but also if anyone feels called to help donate money that would be great as well. You know the financial strains on a large family without a major illness. Here is her facebook page Michaela Ambrose Fund and her website. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated! This such a devout and loving family! They really deserve any help you are able to give to them. Thank you!”
— 4 —
From Instagram last Saturday: So grateful for this quiet and peace filled day… It started with Sean taking the kids (all SEVEN of them!) to work with him so that I could focus on some projects/deadlines of my own without distractions; and it’s ending with the sacrament of confession and a visit to the Blessed Sacrament!
Looking back I should have left it at that and not tried to squeeze in another marathon grocery shopping trip (Costco, Trader Joe’s and Natural Grocers) following adoration… At least we had plenty of food in the house while I was sick in bed! 🙂
— 5 —
It’s raining again this morning, but we’ve been enjoying beautiful Spring weather all week and the children have been spending every afternoon outdoors!
— 6 —
Sour or Not Sour? Chemistry (Affiliate link) experiments are so much fun with this little guy!
During this experiment (on Thursday of last week) we also discussed the difference between “sour” and “ew, disgusting!” I expected his reaction to the lemon juice (and wish I would have caught it on video) but who knew Mineral Water tasted so badly?! 😉
— 7 —
Today is the last day to enter the giveaway for the beautiful St. Therese earrings from Gail Girón Design. Gail is also offering a Free Shipping Special on all domestic orders through March 17th using coupon code STPATRICK17. Be sure to check back sometime this weekend for the next giveaway sponsored by Prayer Pillowcases!
For additional Quick Takes visit Conversion Diary.
Thank you, Jessica, so much! You made me cry! Thank you for posting about Michaela! It really touched my heart. Jen Towers
2014-03-14 17:53:10
You are welcome, Jen. We will continue to pray for Michaela and her family!
2014-03-14 18:05:38
Oh Jessica, it seems like you can't catch a break with all the sicknesses going around this winter. I am sorry you had such a hard week and ear infections – ouch! I was wondering how things were going and yes, I did miss your cheerful and joyful presence around the interwebs, but I hope you are taking the time to rest and rejuvenate. Love the pictures. The hockey ones are especially fun! Hope you stay healthy for a LONG time!!
2014-03-14 19:54:24
You and your family (and Michaela) are in my prayers. I hope you are getting your energy back! After reading your blog for a few years now, I have finally listened to the inspiration you have given and started a blog last week. You always amazed me with everything you accomplished, and now that I am learning how to blog and trying to find the time to blog, you REALLY amaze me. :). It has been fun so far, though. I only have a few posts now, but hope to add new ones this weekend. Feel free to stop by and take a look.
2014-03-14 21:32:05
I'm sorry to hear you've been so sick! I'll be praying for everyone to feel better soon. I can't believe after being sick, you spent time hand scrubbing the floors! That's a whole lot more than I'd be doing 🙂 Praying your oldest feels better soon and everything is okay. Many Blessings!
2014-03-14 22:29:48
Sorry to hear you have been sick Jessica. Wow, your floors look great – love the wooden floor. Be assured of our prayers for Michaela – will remember her in our family rosary. Nice to see you back here….we miss you when you're "gone!" 🙂
2014-03-15 00:15:58
Jessica please take care of yourself, I'm so worried about how sick you are and continue to battle illness – each one seems to get worse. You are wrapped up in my prayers and if I lived near by, meals would be coming in spades to you. Lots of hugs and prayers being sent your way!!!
2014-03-15 00:22:05
Well, that picture was taken a week ago (last Friday) when I thought I was finally getting over the flu (it had been two weeks since it initially hit our home) and the floors were in desperate need of some deep cleaning. It wasn't one of my better decisions, and if I knew I was going to relapse do badly I would have let it go for now! Thank you so much for the prayers! 🙂
2014-03-15 07:07:26
Thank you! I missed you all too 🙂
2014-03-15 07:10:29
Hope you and all the family recover and feel better! Snuggles is adorable–he must make ya'll laugh often!
2014-03-15 14:00:34
Thank you, Kathy! 🙂 It has been getting ridiculous this past year… I've lost track of how many times my husband has wanted to take me to the ER for weird things – like my hands turning blue/numb, my throat/chin swelling (which seems to be my angio-edema triggered by the sinus infections, but has sure been scary the first couple times it happened in Jan and again in Feb with each flu), and then the weakness with these last infections. I can't remember the last time (other than following a delivery) that I stayed in bed for more than a day. My doctor did do a full blood test on me this week and I found out that I do have extremely low Vitamin D again which can cause weakness and also mimic depression. From what I was reading last night it seems that a Vitamin D deficiency can also make you more prone to the flu (I haven't had the flu in 6 years, but have had it twice already this year) and make allergic reactions worse as well! So I think if I can get that back up to where it needs to be perhaps everything else will improve as well. We'll see. I'm working hard to eat a healthy diet (eliminating most sugar and dairy) and hope to get back to walking soon – but not too soon, I think I learned my lesson last week! 😉 Anyways, thanks again!
2014-03-15 20:47:53
He does! And thank you. 🙂
2014-03-15 20:48:19
I'm so sorry to hear you were so ill again! Hope you are restored to lasting good health soon! (and perhaps there is a reason why Captain should have his appointment at a later date – God's timing is always perfect)
2014-03-17 00:24:51
Thank you for all you do and share with us out here in cyber land 🙂 I love getting your posts in my email 🙂 I have gained so much from reading your blog. We did the papal lapbook last year and many other things you've shared. I will keep your oldest son in my prayers. And I will be ordering all of my RC History books through your links to help bless your family 🙂 I was just listing a bunch of books on cathswap to sell and thought I'd offer this one to you first if you'd like it, if not, no problem I'll list it…. It's a beautiful new copy of the History Through the Ages Record of Time. I purchased it new after seeing your beautiful timelines. Then my husband made me a different pdf of a plain (not as pretty 🙁 ) one but I can just print it out for all my kiddos and not buy new ones. I didn't know if you needed more for littles ones coming up! My son did do two entries it in but on separate sheets of white paper which can be ripped out and your entries put over. I'm going to sell it for $25 pdd. Let me know if you're interested 🙂 God bless 🙂
2014-03-18 02:18:59