Tyler

My sister Janelle's son Tyler is in the hospital with some type of infection in his blood. It's been a bit of a roller coaster for Jake and Janelle these past few days, with visits to the ER at Lancaster General Hospital, an overnight stay at Hershey Medical Center and the continuing uncertainty of knowing the source of the infection. It is difficult to see this vibrant, energetic ball of "all-boy" struggling with pain and fever, scary needles and probing tests--all necessary, yes-- but how do you explain that to a 4-yr. old?

I'm sure Janelle will update everyone on her blog as soon as she is able, but in the meantime if you are reading this , please pray for their family. I am so proud of my little sister and her husband; they are pouring their lives out for their three small children (Tyler is 4 yrs old, Luke will be 3 yrs old next week and Paisley is 10 months old) and although this unexpected turn is very stressful and tough for them to go through, they are choosing to take each moment as it comes and to trust that God has not lost control of their lives.

"There is in every woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity." Washington Irving

Normal Day

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are…

Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect Tomorrow.

One day I shall dig my nails into the earth,

or bury my face in my pillow,

or stretch myself taut,

or raise my hands to the sky and want,

more than all the world, your return."

~Mary Jean Iron~

I "borrowed" this quote today from my sister Janelle's blog. It struck me as such a timely reminder to proactively live each day, to savor the moments, to enjoy the little things that make up THIS day. Because this is it. Life must be lived one day at a time, not always looked forward to as if the "real" living was somewhere out there around the proverbial corner.

This normal dailyness is the stuff of living:
Waking up under toasty warm blankets snuggled up to another warm body.
My daughter's insistent alarm clock in the room next to ours.It plays the rowdy "Hey, Soul Sister" every morning at 6:15!
A steaming mug of hot chocolate or a glass of fresh orange juice.
The daily 6:50am toot of my niece's car horn (4 toots exactly!) just to let me know she's driving by.
A warming spring sun when I step outside to let the dogs out for a run.
Hot homemade soup for a tasty lunch.
The smell of rain.
An encouraging phone text from a close friend.

I know from experience that when those completely unpredictable moments come (and they will come!) when life throws an unexpected curve and everything goes topsy-turvy, how precious it is to recognize that God holds my future. He still owns tomorrow. And He will be faithful to bring back my "normal" OR He will give moment-by-moment grace to learn a "new normal". Which, by the way, isn't always a bad thing.

the story of a new mom

My daughter is a new mommy. Last week while she and baby Morgan were visiting our house, I caught her napping with this book beside her.

The picture tells its own story, don't you think?