A bit of a mish-mash (as it were) of I was sick, Maggie’s Quick Picks and how I haven’t started shopping and couldn’t care less.
I. First off, wow. Have you or your kids gotten the flu virus yet?
I noticed that something was wrong last Thursday when–this was my first clue–I had zero energy to get out of bed. Not even the promise of coffee tempted me, so I knew that this was a serious ailment. “Honey?” I rubbed my husband’s back and got a “Mmmph…?” in response.
“Can you drive the kids to school? I’m sick.”
He exhaled loudly, then slowly he rose up on one arm. “Also,” I added, feeling emboldened, “Cate needs her allergy shots so can you drive her there?” He slid his legs out of the warm flannel sheets and sat up.
“She has to wait in the office for half an hour,” I continued, “So while she’s waiting, could you also stop by WalMart and get me some medicine? I’ll text you a picture so you know what kind.”
He silently shuffled off toward the bathroom and I settled in, thoroughly grateful but spent. How I thanked God for that man at this moment!
(And how that man didn’t thank God for me. 😉 )
This is the stuff that I had him get:
…which was suggested by our kids’ school nurse and which I highly recommend, because thanks to this Ossy Something Something, I was feeling better the very next day.
(Couldn’t stop sleeping, but I still felt better.)
So that is what Minnesota Mom’s been up to! Fun stuff, right? And here you thought I was vacationing in Tahiti.
II. I have two Quick Picks for you today, something fast and easy to lighten your load and (hopefully) make this last week and a half of Advent more special.
One is the movie Tomorrowland, which we got at Redbox and watched on Gaudete Sunday. We liked it! It’s fun and funny and yes, a bit preachy, which is probably why it failed at the box office and is already available on DVD.
Didn’t matter to us and shouldn’t matter to you.
It’s a movie to make you smile and think.
The 2nd Quick Pick is simply this: Did you know that Jeanne Birdsall’s written a picture book?
You’re welcome. 🙂
III. Finally, let’s talk about being “Advent Happy.” It’s true that I haven’t started my shopping yet, and while it might be a {slight} exaggeration to say I don’t care, I really am having a very good Advent.
Take Gaudete Sunday as one example. We arrived at church with five minutes to spare, which meant most pews were full if not occupied. “Thank you for sliding down,” I whispered to the man who’d made room for us at his “inn.”
“Thank you for having seven kids,” he whispered back.
Boom! Like that, the tears started flowing.
An unexpected gift, an unexpected kindness.
There’s been a clarity that I haven’t had before–an intensity and a love that’s hard to describe, but if you look for it–I promise you–it is there. My advice is to look a bit less at the world, (i.e. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) which are endless and fun and so, so loud, and look more at Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Start small. Spend some time with them. Calm your heart. Breathe in grace.
Cannot resist one parting comment:
On Sunday, my O Antiphon kid turns three!
Hard to believe, isn’t it? Somehow he’s gone from this:
to this:
Just…when?
On Sunday my middle turns 3 too! 🙂 Happy Birthday!
That’s so awesome, Kate! I’ll be thinking of you!
I hope you all had a happy third birthday on Sunday! 🙂
Oh, my!! 3? Wow!! On Tuesday Simeon turns 4!! I’m feeling the same way. I don’t know how this happened.
We have quite a bit of shopping left and I’m not fretting either. It will all get done.
I am really enjoying my Advent inbox things, like Danielle Bean and Redeemed Online and Fr (Bishop) Robert Barren….I know I should have picked just one, but I love them all.
Glad you are feeling better!
Danielle’s writing has been wonderful, hasn’t it? And I totally get “loving them all”–I’ve been gobbling up quite a few different writers. 🙂
My goodness, turning 3? That picture at the library is adorable! I am glad you are feeling better! That is the same medicine we keep on hand here for flu season. It is crazy how well it works (some times).
My Advent has been wonderful thus far. I so look forward to lighting the candles at night and watching the kids sing O Come Emmanuel. My gifts are pretty much done thanks to UPS but we just got ourselves into hosting Christmas and a New Years Party so a complete cleaning of the house needs done before I start decorating for Christmas. I also need to hang some pictures on my walls. Ack, We have lived here now two years but I have still not figured out how to decorate some areas. Having a less than perfect house keeps my pride in check I guess. 🙂
Have a good week!!
Keeping our pride in check is a GOOD thing, Betsy! (Ask me how I know. 😛 )
This has been my least stressful “shopping” Advent as well. Only, it isn’t because I haven’t started shopping, it is because I did the opposite, and finished before Advent started. I’ve never done that before, and I must say, it feels great not to be worrying about it at all.
We’ve been battling illnesses around here too. Fun times.
In my DREAMS I’d be done shopping before Advent. Good for you, Joy, and God’s blessings.
You should try it next year.
About Simcha Fisher at http://aleteia.org on her birthday. Herpy-Berfday-To-Me. One day in her mamily’s life with ten children, schooling, Christmas and more.
Simcha is the best, Joseph–so very talented and funny.
Correction. family instead of mamily.
Can NOT believe he’s 3!! Sorry you were sick, but glad everything worked (medicine, husbandly support, and so on.) 🙂 Yes to an abundance of JMJ. 🙂