Home | Charis Buckland

It’s always interesting to me to learn about other peoples’ days. How they run, what they do, how they structure their errands, and random other stuff. After the way this week began, I think I’ll let you see a peek into my week this week! Keep in mind, this is not a normal week! Crazy times, I tell you! Pick up your cup of green tea like I am currently sipping, and enjoy!

Some kind of bug is going around and poor Jenna went down Friday night and felt so bad she couldn’t dress up or go collect candy. She enjoyed a night in with The Brady Bunch and a blanket. I was so sad for her.

Saturday, everyone just drooped throughout the day. Only one person went to their Nutcracker rehearsals. We never all go down at one time, so this was quite unusual. In preparation for Brett’s work trip Sunday, we did extra laundry, did some dusting, and vacuumed. We also changed all the bedding. Fresh sheets with a hint of laundry detergent smell always help me sleep well! It’s probably one of my favorite things in life. As Saturday wore on, I was less sure the three who were supposed to sing with their children’s choir at church were going to make it. 

Sunday morning came and everyone was dragging, coughing, and had fever except Krew and Linley. Germs are scared of Krew. He’s a tornado. When Brett left for church and everyone woke up, I went down the line to take everyone’s temperature, record it, and dispense medication and cough syrup.

We had a quiet day, mostly because we all lost our voices!

I was doing some laundry of blankets and light items late afternoon when the smoke detector went off. Izzy Grace started wailing and Raegan started running around tripping out. I though the battery was just messed up and it would stop but as I walked around trying to figure out why the detector was sounding the alarm and saying, “Fire, fire,” I smelled the laundry room. Burning rubber. I stopped the washer, which stopped the alarm. Hmmmm… It was not overstuffed, there were no clothes caught anywhere, so, great I figured the washing machine is down. The sick clothing was beginning to stack up!

We had the weekend fever crown sleep in fresh sleeping bags in the playroom. Impromptu slumber party! Moved a sound machine and BAM! Good times! Sunday afternoon was full of Disney movies.

Monday begins and we do schoolwork so as not to get behind. The school kids were not feeling bad enough to stay in bed but not good enough to function at their best. A lot of schoolwork was done on the couch with blankets. They also found unconventional spots to work in. We made hot teas and hot chocolates. Did I mention I went down too? Yeah, that’s always fun. 

Never underestimate the power of a hot meal! My friend was sooooo kind and delivered taco soup! I had planned on making soup myself and I just couldn’t do it. The “well” girls had ballet but my carpool friend had a sick daughter, so I was on my own there! We turned on Andy Griffith in the afternoon because it always makes us feel better! We served supper, gave baths, put on clean pajamas. Whew! Made it! Picked up from ballet, showered up, and the three big girls and I sat under blankets and watched an old Hallmark Christmas movie. 

My friend from church sent a message asking how we were doing. She offered to door dash a coffee and cake pops. Oh my goodness. This is seriously the best most unexpected treat I could think of on a Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. I had no words for how thankful! I got a hot coffee for my throat and I didn’t even have to go out in the cold weather! 

Tuesday came. Everyone was better but still coughing. I lined everyone up again, took temperatures, and gave out cough medicine like a pharmacy. It’s also tricky serving food when some can have regular food, some are a little off, and some are not hungry at all! 

There were three times this week so far I began to cry, not even out of pity for myself, just out of body aches and exhaustion, where I did not think I could drive to ballet or serve another meal or give another bath. Then I ran out of time, wiped the tears, and did what I didn’t think I was going to be able to do. Have you ever been there? It doesn’t happen much, but there are times when I think I need to call an adult and remember I am the adult. 

Sunday night, we took the time to pray over the house downstairs and right outside the laundry room. God has the power to help us, so we certainly will call on Him.

So I ask myself what have I learned so far? God is always teaching us lessons in each day through every experience. I am not even sure I comprehend what God is teaching me this week. I do know that I read Isaiah 40:29 which states, “he gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless.” Hoo boy, have I felt weak in every way this week. Maybe you have weeks like that too! Like it wasn’t enough that Brett’s out of town, people get sick, but the smoke detector goes off, the washing machine is out of commission while sick clothing piles up with no fix yet. Sometimes we have to go with what we know, not how we feel. What I know is that God is our strength anytime anywhere in anything. He doesn’t just strengthen those who declare faith and face trials with stoic faces or never wish for circumstances to change. He strengthens us when we struggle, when we cry, when we are overly tired, and when we doubt. Friend, I pray you feel God’s power today in whatever you are doing! Meanwhile, I’m going to keep on coughing, wiping snotty noses, and wash some clothes in the bathtub!

Love,

Charis

Pic(k) of the week: There were so many good options…