Happy Anniversary... To Us!

Six years ago today, we were shiny and new.  Stepping out on faith together, into a shared future.  

And here we are today.  A little less shiny, a little less new.  But still together, still sharing, and still looking forward.  Now with two little ones under our wings.

Worth celebrating, don't you think?  We'd planned to.  But you know about plans...  Caden decided to come down with something yesterday.  Something not too bad, but bad enough.  Then this morning Travis had it.  And by tonight, Addison had joined in the fun.  And out of all three of them she seems to be taking it the worst.  As I sit here typing, her cries for "Mommyyyy and Daddyyyyy!" are ringing fresh in my ears.  Over and over she pleaded, as she stood at the crib rail.  Clutching Lovie and Baby and hopefully looking toward the door.  I'm sure it was no more than five minutes, but it felt like much longer than that when she gave up and laid down.  Collapsing into sleep. Leaving her mother in an emotional heap at the computer.  For an hour, at which point she cranked up again.  It's going to be a long night.  But I am grateful...  Grateful for arms that can rock my baby.  For a family to take care of.  For a safe place for them to sleep.  And for a doctor, just down the road, if we need it.  Grateful that so far, I seem to be fine.  For I can't be anything else, now can I?

Yesterday didn't really go as planned either.  I had a million things to do.  Not "want tos", "have tos".  And in order to get them done I found myself still in my pajamas at lunch time.  The kids were needy all day (looking back, I can see the sickness coming) and of course this was exactly the time that Travis needed to run errands.  It's not important how it all happened, but to help you understand my level of anxiety...  By the time their naps rolled around, I didn't have pants on, there was a pile of Caden's hair on the floor but his hair cut would not conclude for another five hours, I still hadn't brushed my teeth, my kitchen floor had a faint dusting of rice and sand all over it, and Addison had snuck away and removed her diaper no less than seven times (after that I just stopped counting).  But after a little caffeine and some deep breathing, I discovered that deep down I was glad...  Glad that it was me doing this work.  Glad that I have a husband, one who would be coming home soon.  Glad that I have the luxury of staying in my pajamas and making my children a priority.

Ah, the best laid plans...  As anniversary weekends go, not exactly what I'd envisioned.  In print, it's actually pretty much a bust.  But it's real life, and in my heart, it's exactly perfect.