Soaking it all In

This weekend I was able to get away to a women's conference in Lafayette. Our Pastor's wife was one of the guest speakers and she invited some of us to go along with her.

I was very excited to go, but I'm always hesitant to leave Jason and Bayli for any amount of time. I guess the devil senses that about me, because he always tries every trick in the book...and every time I am supposed to go away Bayli gets sick. For real. This time I thought I had eluded this, and then she woke up at 3:00 Thursday morning with high (102.8) fever and croup. She went to bed Wednesday night with no signs of any sort of sickness at all. Oh, and did I mention I was to leave Thursday in less than 12 hours?

And this time, to make matters worse she didn't just have the Croup cough, you know the one that sounds like you have a seal living in the room next to you? This time on top of that, she had much breathing diffiulty. Much. It scared me to death. Jason, on the other hand, told her to calm down and that it would all be fine. She was gasping for air at times. Good thing we balance each other out, because as you can see, he's not easily rattled or alarmed...as I'm sure you can imagine I was totally calm myself. Ahem.

This was her 3rd time with Croup, so from previous experience our Pediatrician had told me to stick her head in the freezer to let her breath in the cold air and it would shrink the swelling in her throat. He also said that swallowing ice chips or drinking very iced down water should have the same effect. We opted for the latter. After a few minutes of drinking the ice water she was able to breath a little better, at least momentarily. So, my suspicions were confirmed that we indeed had a case of the Croup. Not being the one to over-react, Jason felt she'd be fine waiting until the morning to see the Pediatrician. So, I allowed her in our bed (which never happens...) it was quite the treat for all of us involved! She is not a calm sleeper, and I woke up with bruises...well, I got out of bed in the morning with bruises. Saying that I "woke up" would imply that I actually slept with my child wheezing and crowding me and kicking me, etc.

Anyway, we went to the Dr. first thing in the morning. He gave her a steriod shot and she was breathing better within minutes. But still had fever. Considering that I hate to leave at all, when she is sick its almost impossible to pry me out of this house. But I really felt an urgency to attend this conference. So, I arranged to drive myself to the conference. That way I could leave later, and would have my own transportation if I needed to come home. It just made me feel better.

At 3:30 I dropped Bayli off with my Mother in Law and I got on the road. And, I kid you not, I felt like a woman on the run. I was all panicky and kept looking in my rear view mirror...thinking that the "Mommy police" would be behind me with the sirens going and the lights flashing. It's like that feeling you get when you think you've forgotten something, or when all day you keep thinking you left your flat iron on and just know you'll come back to a cinged house. I remember right after I had Bayli, I had severe depression. My friend suggested that I get out of the house, go to Wal Mart or something. So I did...but it was never the same again. No matter where I went, she always belonged to me, and the realization hit me that I will always have someone to take care of and to be responsible for. I guess I didn't feel guilty for getting away, as much as I felt irresponsible. Jason kept telling me she's be fine, he could handle it. But, he's not me.

But, it was absolutely the best weekend. And we all lived to tell about it. And my goodness, the sweetness when I got home! She kept holding my cheeks and kissing me and telling me that she "is happy that I'm her Mommy" and that she was "so happy that I'm back, because she missed me all day long!" And, I was "her favorite and her best". Maybe I need to go away more often?

And, I got to hear 7 incredible women of God speak...I sat in 6 sessions and a 2 hour long worship session! You have to understand, Jason and I are in children's ministry. I have only been in "big church" 4 times since January 1 this year. We've had a lot of changes in our ministry and a lot of adjusting due to adding a service, and we've had to miss a lot of church to have all areas covered. So, to get this much word in one weekend was so amazing to me. And I wasn't responsible for a thing. All I had to do was show up and sit on a pew. Now, I love our work in the ministry and I love being a servant...but sometimes it feels good to receive. It was amazingly good...I cant' even begin to describe how refreshed I felt.

And the best part was...I came home to an almost spotless house. And Bayli's fever was gone. Her Daddy had taken excellent care of her while I was away. They had some good quality time together...2 whole "Daddy Days". I am certainly blessed.

Father God, thank you for making a way for us to get away sometimes. And thank you for making it so very sweet when we get home! I love our life, and I love the place where we are right now in our lives. And I love my husband and my daughter...thanks for your abundant blessings!

face for grace,
Holly