Soft Words from a Sick Boy

So the longer we parent our children the more changes I realize I need to make in my own life.  One of the family guidelines we've tried to incorporate is to "Always use soft words, even when you don't feel well." Wow!  I stink at this.  My preschooler is completely showing me up today.

Yesterday he told me his tummy hurt, and a few minutes later I realized that his eyes were glazed over.  In our family, that means a fever or total exhaustion (or both).  Poor little guy has had a fever of 102 degrees for the last couple days even with medication (Yes, I'm a medicating mom.  Plus, I have boys.  I'm convinced they have a lower pain tolerance. Yep, that was a cop out.)  Even with the fever, he is taking gentle reminders and is using "please," "thank you," and "May I please.."  When the fever gets him worked up, we've been able to ask him to take a deep breath and to use kind words; and, for the most part, he has!

His prayers tonight were so genuine. "Dear God, please help all the sick to go away so I can go outside, and please stop the rain and the thunder.  In Jesus name, Amen"  Way to make it to the end of the day, big boy!

I, however, have struggled.  My quiet time was stolen by an up-early baby, my nap time was taken by the plumber (Hurray for a working toilet though!), and my husband has a deacons meeting tonight, which means I'm on my own.  Frustration and exhaustion has been bubbling under the surface all day.  Someone out there must be praying because I have had soft words for both my children despite my struggle, I have had more creative ideas for how to entertain my quick crawler and my sick preschooler, and two sweet college gals we host dropped by with a HUGE pumpkin spice latte.  Umm... can I get an amen????  So what was my creative idea...

Does this bring back memories?  It's a Talk 'n Play...mine and my sister's from the 80's. My family saves everything, which, in this instance, was incredible.  It's the Leap Pad of the past with a cassette and book.  The four colored buttons allow you to answer questions (I can't explain how that works, but it does). As I was moving boxes in the spare garage today, I found it!  What a God thing!  Caleb has been happily listening to stories and interacting with the gang from Sesame Street.  Thank You, Lord!

Just in case you're wondering about the other little guy, he's fine. He's been crawling around faster than ever.  Every time I turn around he's crawling into different rooms to find someone to play with. Amazing!  No fever, no stomach flu.  Just a huge smile and an enormous appetite for black beans.  Let's pray that he stays that way because I'm pretty sure we haven't taught him about using soft words yet.