All The Feels In This Week

Nostalgia--Brian and I went to the Garth Brooks concert late Saturday night. So many of his songs were definitive of our lives. "The Dance?" Amidst our college years when we were ready to take the world on. "Two Piña Coladas?" We heard it twenty-hundred times on our honeymoon. "How Do I Live?" The first night we spent together ... On the concrete ... With a gazillion others waiting in line to buy Vince Gill tickets. So much nostalgia. 

Worry--Because the temps were so cold and the girls wanted to be grown up, we left them home alone (without having my mom stay over) while we hung with Garth and Trisha. The 10:30 concert didn't start until after midnight. We didn't get home until almost four. For all intents and purposes, the girls spent the night by themselves. Not only was I very anxious about this, Briley was as well: she stayed up until we got home because sometimes parents die and no one tells the kid. She watches too much Disney Channel. 

Devotion--I woke up at nine Sunday morning after getting to sleep at almost five. Brian's and I are leading our small group this session. I actually like leading small group a lot. 

Pain and Weariness--a middle of the night migraine Subday night left mr feeling achy and exhausted all day on Monday. 

Excitement--The official "welcome to high school, parents" letter came this week. I'm so excited to see my girl growing up and growing into her place in our world. I'm also a little bit panicked because when I look at her, she's a three year old with a huge vocabulary who's taller than I am. 

Amazement--Watching Briley pitch. Man. That girl's an athlete! My squirrley girl who cannot seem to remember that her shoes/socks/clothes don't belong in the middle of the living room, can throw that yellow ball with authority. 

Exhaustion--I found myself wearing down as the week did. There was snot moving into my body at an alarming rate. I was drooling on my own chin and didn't care because wiping off was too much of an effort. 

Defeated--Three weeks to the day after Briley was diagnosed with the flu, Hadley was diagnosed. We had become way too intimate with Lysol products; I was bummed that that seemed in vain. Also. Buy stock in Tamiflu. Whew! That stuff's made of gold. 

Bummed--originally, Hadley was supposed to help with the kid lock-in at church. Briley has her sleep over. Brian and I were going to have a kid-free night. Damn the flu. 

Content--Briley's at a sleepover; Brian's at a hotel hoping to miss the flu yet again; Hadley and I are home, Advil'ed up and watching Pretty Little Liars on Netflix. Aside from the germs battling for control of our immune systems, this is a great way to spend my Friday night. 

Christmas Headlines

If my holidays were summed up with Headlines and Teasers ...

Sick Children Left to Fin for Themselves
With the last day of school hanging heavy in the air, parents continue to teach others' children while their own children suffer at home with a tummy bug.

Tummy Bug Take Two
As if to teach her parents a lesson about taking care of their children, Hadley, age 13, proceeds to vomit for twelve hours straight--beginning at nine in the evening; her mother is heard to have said, "Ugh."

Family Unpacks Before They Even Leave
Having their three-day sojourn to southern Oklahoma thwarted by sick kids, the Davis family repacks their suitcase so as to not haul too much stuff. It didn't help.

Heather Davis Spends Eight Hours In A Car
After leaving from Christmas with her In-laws, Davis repacks her bag to travel with her mother to Stillwater.

Family Enjoys Time Together; Wishes for Different Circumstances
Davis's Uncle Mac passed from this life to the next. His family expresses regret at his passing, but rejoices in his perfect healing.

Candlelight Service Calms Davis's Heart Before Storm
 Singing carols with her family and friends and sharing candlelight as they sang "Silent Night" helped Heather Davis, ever-graying, to regain Christmas spirit in her heart.

Teen exclaims, 'This Is The Best Christmas So Far'
After opening Christmas gifts from family on Christmas Eve, Hadley Davis makes her miraculous exclamation. Parents rejoice over positive words escaping from their teen's mouth.

'Mom, I don't feel good,' Cries Tween
Heather Davis was awoken (it's a word) by her 11-year-old Briley on Christmas morning, not with shouts of excitement, but with moans of misery.

Davis Receives Fateful Call From Her Husband
With all the urgent care offices closed due to Christmas, Brian Davis takes his tween to the ER due to high fever. Calls his wife with one word: Flu.

Evacuate Nana Plan Goes Off Without A Hitch
Davis and daughter Hadley transport Nana to sister, Rachel's home to keep her away from sickly tween (and eventual sickly husband).

Mother Daughter Share Quality Time Thanks To Hotwire
To allow the sickies to heal and the wellies to stay well, Davis and Hadley score a deal at a hotel less than half a mile from her house; both enjoy a Duck Dynasty marathon.

Good News: World's Best Aunt Wins Christmas
When Davis's four-year-old niece was denied drums by her parents, Davis purchased herself some drums and left them in the care of her niece. They both rock.