This week: Tummy troubles, taking a break from coffee, gaining a heart for the world and our neighbor,Summer is almost here and living out what I preach.

I thought it would be fun to do an overview of my week with you; giving you a little more insight into the ho hum and hair pulling moments that make up my blessed crazy life. Nothing really exciting happened this week or anything out of the ordinary, just ordinary days that I am learning are really extraordinary, because of God's grace and mercy in my life.

First off Simeon came down with a very bad case of the stomach bug just as we were headed off to church. Nothing unusual, right? At least for us. I was very relieved that that pesky bug decided to come before church and not during! It then hit Josh really bad. Luke and Ellie had it mildly. The big boys and I somehow kept immune to it. I kept waiting for it to strike me but thankfully it passed over me. Phew! Just so you know I am only showing pictures of the highlights of our week; for obvious reasons;)

I usually get all bent out of shape when we have to cancel our plans to go out some where but I think I am finally getting used to having my plans changed. Since someone is always sick, having to be quarantined is normal now and it's not always that bad. The house is cleaner, it's nice not to have to rush anywhere and I really do love being with my family; though the older boys are starting to drive me crazy and I might have developed a twitch during the week.

We were getting really worried about Simeon because he has always had a sensitive stomach and this one was a real doozy but he finally pulled out of it.Thankfully Simeon is such a sweetheart, never even complained and it also helped that he had great aim;P I hate to see my babies sick; it hurts my heart and makes me think of all the mamas who have to carry the burden of sick children on a daily basis. So thankful that we can lay our burdens down at his feet; no matter how big or small.

Of all the weeks to pick, I picked this week to wean myself off of coffee. By some miracle I was able to sleep well or else I would have given in. I have been wanting to cut back on coffee for a while now as it really has a bad effect on me. I never have been a hard core coffee drinker but this past year I have been drinking it more regularly. I make it for Josh in the mornings and it's so hard for me to not have any when I smell that alluring aroma. I only have one cup a day but I can't drink it without a lot of sugar, cream and of course I have to add whip cream. It's my little indulgence in the mornings. I really just love the taste. I probably should just switch to decaf. It's so good while I am drinking it but not too long after I start to get jittery, have the desire to tackle a dozen projects at once and get irritable. I have always been sensitive to caffeine and the added sugar doesn't help. So this is where my decision came in to cut back.

Thankfully I didn't have any bad headaches. I drank a lot of my favorite creamy pumpkin pie tea from bulk herb store and actually didn't even miss my beloved morning ritual of coffee. I admit that I felt a lot better. I am not giving up coffee altogether but definitely will not make it a daily thing. This morning I broke my coffee fast and also couldn't resist our weekly tradition of Publix doughnuts. You just have to indulge a little on Saturdays, and doughnuts and coffee go hand in hand.

True to character Luke kept me on my toes this week and kept us all laughing, smiling and even gave me a grey hair or two...literally.

Despite all the sickness the boys were able to get a lot of school work done this week. Though for some reason they thought that just because everyone else was sick they could play hooky. As it happens we have been studying about India and mountains. In light of the earthquakes in Nepal and India I think it has been very timely. It's so easy to sit here comfortably and feel apathetic about what is going on in the world. It really is so hard to comprehend so many are experiencing such hardship and catastrophe around the world, not to mention our own neighborhoods. I pray that as we learn more about these foreign places and people that God would give the kids and I his heart for a hurting and broken world.

It's really starting to officially feel like summer here. Though we have not changed the kids bedtime we have been enjoying being outdoors later in the evenings. We have especially taken advantage of our backyard this week. Since we haven't been able to go anywhere, out came the bubbles. They so magical yet so simple and kept the kids entertained for hours.

About every other month or so I go through the kids clothes and toys and other stuff and get rid of what we don't need. I was able to fill up two big garbage bags yesterday to bring to the thrift store and I haven't even gone through everything yet!  Of course this means I feel I have an excuse to go back to said thrift store not to donate but to restock;) It feels so good to clear out space and have less stuff piling up and sometimes make room for more of what we do need.

Being so close to my children all the time I have really been struck by how they imitate me whether I like it or not. I have been asking God to help me die to myself and instead of telling them the right thing to do; model it. IT'S HARD!  Have you ever heard of that saying," Do what I say, not what I do."? Well, I realize that is what I have been expecting of them and it's not working.

"Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers." 1 Peter 3:10-12/ also Psalm 34:12-15 ESV

This verse really struck me this week and I really want to live it. It's one thing to tell/write everyone one the right things to do, it's another thing to actually live it. And that is my prayer this week...to live it and do what I know is right and good; not only before the world but before my children, my neighbor and my husband.

How was your week? 

Are you able to survive without coffee or are you an avid coffee drinker?

Does the stomach bug visit your house often also?

How often do you go through your stuff and get rid of what you don't need?

Do you have a verse or burden that has been on your heart?

linking up with The Homeschool Mother's Journal, Mom 2 Mom monday, Tuesday Talk, Friday Favorites, Words with Winter