At Midnight On A Thursday Night

I'm dying to blog but I haven't a clue what to write. I read on one of the blogs I follow that if you blog you should always sit down and write out particular topics you want to cover and make a plan. Never, ever just sit down and start rambling! My readers will not be entertained and might stop reading! Well, since Juliette is the only one reading (hi Jules!) I'm gonna dump my brain out here contrary to one blog's advice.

We've all been sick. Justin, then H, and finally me. I think all the kids in the nursery and the building have been sick. Some of the parents too. It's that time of year, but it hasn't been 'that time of year' for me ever as an adult until now. You know, the time of year when kids go back to school and pass their germs around. Now that I have a toddler in nursery and I, myself, am in school full time, it's 'that time of year'.

It's tough being sick in our little abode. There is no couch to lay on and watch TV. There is no privacy since our toddler's bedroom connects to ours and our kitchen is outside our bedroom through the community hallway and our toilets and showers are either one floor up or one floor down. I can't just walk around like death warmed over in my junkie pj's and un-brushed teeth. Today I couldn't even just lay in bed. I had the insatiable need to pick up our 'house' so that the insanity of the mess wouldn't make me even sicker. It took less than an hour thankfully.

But we're really very happy. Today we were outside in our large yard with two other families and their kids. The kids played and we chatted and enjoyed the nice, beautiful day. The guys shot some hoops. I made plans to pray with another mom this weekend. They know how I feel. For dinner, Justin made Chicken Noodle Soup with a fresh baguette from our favorite boulangerie. H took a bath in our community shower stall (it has about a 6-inch inset) and he didn't scream bloody murder. Then he went to bed at a decent hour.

Life is good despite the awkward living situation, despite no couch or TV, and despite all odds. I think I underestimate, and I know many do with me, my ability to live in what would sound like difficult circumstances and still find happiness and contentment. I try to explain it to folks but unless one knows for themselves it's hard to do. It comes from deep inside where my core being believes simply that God is good. If he is good and I am His then good will come to me. It may look bad or unbearable or it might look plush and easy sometime! But no matter where I go, what I do, couch or no couch, I have contentment because I have him. Or he has me is more like it.

I've heard lots of folks say this and I don't always believe them. And I haven't always believed myself. But sitting here, processing without planning, I know in my own heart I believe.

Believe with me.