Diarrhea and slippers

Life has been so busy and full. We've been trying to keep up with the children's appointments, classes, and outings, but it's been difficult. This week I was praying for help as I tried to manage all the "jobs" I have--taking care of sick babies, homeschooling the children, cleaning the house, making meals, cleaning messes, doing the laundry, getting children to classes, keeping Sammy safe (who is a climber and can be up on top of a table in less than 6 seconds--without knowing how to get down), etc. I specifically prayed for a laundry helper. With two little boys with constant diarrhea (seems to be PTSD), there can be a lot of laundry.

Guess what?

My mom came for a visit and stayed for a little over two days. During that time, she did the laundry--without knowing about my prayer, listened to my two first graders read their reading assignments, and did the dishes over and over again. What a sweet presence!

On Friday as the last load of laundry was being washed, I sat down for the first time in a while to check my e-mail. In a matter of seconds, Sammy fell on a toy that went into his mouth and hurt the back of his throat. I quickly scooped him up and ran to get him an ice cold drink. As I was about to give him the drink, I smelled something like rotten milk. While the baby was screaming, I unscrewed his cup to smell the milk. It was perfectly fine. Then, I realized what the smell was. It was diarrhea. It was all over him and me!

I ran to the bathroom with Sammy, got his clothes off, and quickly got him in the tub to begin the clean up process. After he was clean, secure, and drinking his milk in the tub, I quickly cleaned up myself and threw on a new shirt. Then, I gave our clothes a quick scrub, finished Sammy's bath, got him dressed, got Hope out the door for dance, and got her to the studio with just minutes to spare.

As I was getting out of the van at the studio, I realized I was still in my slippers/house shoes. Ugh! I walked Hope into the studio and quickly disappeared back to the van. Derek--who was working a 16-hour shift--had asked me to pick him up some needed items for his diabetes, so I had to go to WalMart in slippers!!! With a shirt that I had thrown on after mine had been soiled with diarrhea--which I failed miserable to match to my pants--and slippers on, I.was.a.sight!

I retrieved the needed items, checked out at the self-check-out center (since the lines were 2-3 customers deep), scanned and threw my items into the cart and into the van as quickly as I could, and made it back to pick up Hope 10 minutes late. LATE! I was late!

I felt horrible as I walked in to get Hope. I immediately saw Hope with her teacher. Mrs. Alexis was standing guard, watching over Hope. Mrs. Alexis simply smiled and reassured me it was OK. Hope, however, kept asking me to never leave her again.

I got back to the van and cried.

Cried.

I am imperfect and walking a difficult path right now. However, it is the calling I have been given and wouldn't want it any other way. At the same time, it is hard. I won't deny it.

But, when I get to experience the grace and kindness of so many fellow Believers, my heart and soul are refreshed.

Therefore, I would like to say: "Thank you for being 'Jesus with skin on'. God bless you all!" ❤