Momma's Timeout

We've moved to a new home away from home. A basement apartment really close to the hospital. It's perfect. Tonight we had a real dinner together and I did a couple of loads of laundry. Brian and I are thankful for the gracious family letting us use their space as our own while we are here.

As much as I didn't want to leave the hospital and take on the responsibilities that come with it, a homey environment is doing wonders for Clara and I. Hopefully we can make it two weeks before Clara is actually inpatient at the hospital. The downside is that today I had to give her the neupogen shot. I stayed pretty composed, but broke down after I finished. And then the home health nurse cried right along with me. I hate that I have to do the injections, it's horrible.

We are so thankful that Clara is happier and health-ier than she was just a month ago. Our Father in Heaven hears and answers our prayers and Clara is a testament to that. We have great hope for Clara's future.  We are thankful for all who have united with us in faith and prayers for Clara.

Brian's portion:  There are a few quotes from famous writers that I am often reminded of during the past month.  1.  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  And 2.  These are the times that try mens' souls.  I feel blessed to be able to see light during such a trying time.  Clara's illness is making us stronger as a family - the other children are all learning to lean on one another, and we as parents are more selective in our daily activities to ensure that our time is used wisely, and used together.  In our church we are fortunate to be led by men and women who are inspired by God.  I am continually awed by their ability to know our needs and to know precisely what we need to do in our lives to find peace and joy.  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said:

Our second key relationship is with our families. Since “no other success can compensate for failure” ¹² here, we must place high priority on our families. We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e,time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship.

I've known this for all of my life.  But I haven't really known it.  It never became a part of me until Clara's diagnosis.  For as long as we've been a family, we've played together and we've prayed together, though sometimes it has felt like we were going through the motions.  Perhaps it's easier now that school is out, but each afternoon I look forward to getting home so I can spend time with my children, swimming, riding bikes, reading books, playing games, watching cartoons.  Though quiet reading/study time in the mornings has always been almost sacred to me, I anxiously await the first child to come rumbling down the stairs every day.  So many other things have been put aside as we unitedly focus on our family.  It is liberating.