After two episodes of GERD yesterday, the husband orders me to rest today. He did not allow me to get out of bed. He packed his own lunch. Little girl insisted I hug Peter to make me feel better. Right now I’m snuggled up in my blankie and in the warmth of my family’s love, promising not to drink buko juice and black tea on an empty stomach and to eat on time.
Yesterday my question was, to fight or to flee? Today I get God’s answer: rest.
First, the easier one:
“Mom, is it Valentines’ na or is it New Year’s pa?”
I tell her the same answer every single time since January 2nd.
I say that it’s January and so it’s still New Year. I explain that Valentines’ day is in February which is next month. She tells me how excited she is to see hearts all over town and do Valentines’ activities and practice writing the letter V. I am amazed at how she remembers our homeschool heart’s month last year. The other day I gave her a calendar and we started marking the days til February 14. Today I will hang the calendar and just point to it when she asks me that
question again. And perhaps we’ll do a countdown on her chalkboard. Then maybe she’ll get to say its ___ days til Valentines day instead of asking that question all day!
Second, the harder question:
“Mom, am I still a baby or am I a big girl already?”
I answer differently every single time.
I tell her that she’s a big girl already and can now begin to take care of herself. At cuddle time I hold her close and smell her breath like I did the first time I held her and tell her she’s my baby. I praise her efforts at packing away and dressing up by herself and commend her for being a big girl. And then my next sentence starts with “baby girl would you please…”
I see the confusion in her eyes but I don’t explain. Not yet. I know one day (I hope not too soon) she’ll get it: no matter how big a girl she gets, she’ll always be my baby. Always. Perhaps when there’s a four year old who would ask her, “Mom, am I still a baby or am I a big girl already?”
What a long weekend!
We just got home after spending the last 5 days in the province with my in-laws. While picking up after the mess we’ve left from the hurried packing, the reality that we’re back to normal life again began to hit me. And I caught myself thinking that I wasted a vacation that I had planned to be productive. I wanted to make the most of this semestral break and start ticking items off my to do list that was getting very long: write a family vision statement, plan homeschool curriculum, chore chart for the little girl, re-evaluate our family life and goals, think and talk about parenting, start some traditions, make a month-long meal plan, clean the closet, etc, etc, etc. How many of these did we end up doing? None. I started to feel bad and was about to mentally whip myself, when God gracefully opened my eyes to see what He has accomplished in and during that long weekend:
- encouraged my mother-in-law by celebrating her birthday with the whole family
– provided a listening ear for my sister-in-law
– helped plan my niece’s upcoming birthday party
– captured precious moments through a lens
– supported the family’s business and source of income
– helped my awesome husband in his new social-entrepreneural venture
As if all that was not enough to send me on my merry way, I was reminded of these amazing bonuses:
- free and huge helpings of fresh air to fill our deprived city lungs for 5 days
– hearty meals and lots of laughter
– a sweet deal that ended my agony (sorry can’t get into details as of yet, many thanks, SIL!)
– unlimited, run-in-the-grass-sunshine-on-her-face time for our daughter
– much-needed playgroup for our unica hija and the natural high of seeing her grow in spoken thought and conversation
– thoughts, realizations, heart-ponderings, and meaningful intercession
– downtime: finished a good book and watched two movies – one which the husband enjoyed and another which encouraged my mom heart
I finish straightening up our bedroom with a light heart. I thank God for the many ways He has blessed our time in the province. With peace, I put off my list for some other day. I lay down with my arms behind my head and savor God’s goodness.
What a great weekend!
Had this conversation with the hubs this morning. I finally understood why he’s not an active facebooker. He’s Un-facebook secure. Haha!
“Sweetie, wala nang pumapansin sa akin sa facebook. Nagco-comment lang sila pag nag post ako about iola.”
“Mahal ka pa rin nila. Di nasusukat sa facebook ang pag-ibig nila. Lagay mo i need a hug. Hiwalay na kami ni aj. Sigurado ako magre-react sila.”
Discharged!
Love how the meals come in bento boxes instead of plates and plastic wraps. Very earth-friendly. Another drawing of nanay. Restless in the room. Excited to go home.
Thank you Lord for healing and providing and caring and loving.
Her eyes are back! And what joy to see her walking around the room. Her appetite is slowly improving, and she’s excited about going back to school. Pedia says we can go home tomorrow. Will miss our “vacation” here 
Having fun with Tito Jeeb’s vintage lego blocks. No fever in the last 16 hours. Ate lunch. More talkative. Wants to extend her stay in the sleepover room!
Just between us, I’m willing to do all this for free. Shhhh don’t tell my husband…
Picture from: http://degreesearch.org/blog/2011/05/what-is-a-moms-work-worth-infographic/
This place brings much comfort to a working weekend. Hoping your weekend is as peaceful as ours, with plenty of fresh air and merry hearts all around.
(at my brother-in-law’s backyard, Batangas)
