Internet Grapes: Better than ok.

I'm better today. Still stuffed up and with a very raspy, limited vocal range, but so much better, especially when you know that yesterday I ended up in bed, feverish & achy, texting Geoff (who was downstairs) about how if I died, my only real regret would be not seeing the girls grow up. So yes, I am much better today! I think I have the flu, rather than a cold. Not that it matters much.

Church was not nearly as enjoyable for me as usual, since I couldn't sing. I tried, at first, to at least sing along with the congregational hymns, and although I could squeak out a very quiet version of many of the notes (or an octave below them), every note caused me discomfort or actual pain, so I quit trying. Instead, I stood there and followed along with the music, listening to the alto part in my head and imagining that I could bring it to life. I do think that I'm a good listener, but I also really enjoy my own part in conversations, and it always feels very strange to me when I lose my voice, and something that's usually so easy for me becomes such an ordeal.

So the morning was not the best, but the rest of the day has had some great highlights. After church we went to the buffet at our favorite local Indian restaurant, which both of the girls clamored for happily. As we drove there, they begged to sit next to each other on one side of the booth that we always get, loudly and emphatically declaring their great love for each other and for sitting next to each other. We told them we'd let them try it, but that they needed to be respectful, relatively quiet, and not crazy. We set our sights a little high, and they weren't really able to control themselves the way we'd hoped - but although they did go under the table more than once, and they did talk too loudly most of the time, and they didn't listen to us as well as we'd have liked - they didn't really fight with each other. We came home and watched Brave for the second time (I rented it at Redbox yesterday) while Geoff took a nap, and then I said it was time to turn off the tv.

That's when things got REALLY good. Katie read to us from Wind in the Willows while Annabel and I colored in coloring books. Katie played teacher and instructed us. After awhile, I felt like I needed my own nap, so I went upstairs and sent Geoff down. When I came down, a little over an hour later, the girls were in the kitchen, playing Hullabaloo together. After awhile, we put them in the bath, where they played and talked and laughed for at least 45 minutes, at which point they got out to eat dinner, and once they'd finished eating, they started playing Hullabaloo again. It's been the kind of day that makes me feel not only happy to be a parent (and the parent of these two kids in particular), but also one that makes me feel like this family is doing ok. Better than ok.

I'm so glad this flu has not killed me, and that I still have a chance to see these girls grow up.

Comments

Sisters are wonderful! I have three of them...and the biggest and most exhausting (but FUN) belly laughs were shared with my sisters. Enjoy your little treasures!

Posted by: Theresa | December 02, 2012 at 07:33 PM