Germs, friends, and sharing germs.

Pierce has a 24 hour video EEG in St Louis next week. I’m so hopeful that we get some answers.

We went from I think the flu, then colds, a more complicated cold, to a full on stomach bug, all within four weeks. I’m weary of it. I got home from work at 5:30am one day last week and the wall of vomit stench hit me. They’d had a super fun night without me. I’m not sure we’ll ever catch on laundry. So many dirty sheets.

Eden graduates from the department of corrections training as a full fledged corrections officer next week. I’m so excited for her.

In the middle between viruses – but before a few fully recovered from colds, my mom and Liberty came down for a visit. Liberty bought a pickup and we bought her car from her. Her little blue Civic is my work car now. I’m rather enjoying having something small to zip around in. Their visit was fun and full with friends visiting too, and it was so good to have them. Just wish we hadn’t shared our germs. We clearly have those in spades.
That pink cabinet behind them is my latest project. It’s an antique cupboard, and it’s no longer pink. I’m working on it, but mid-project, it’s now blue and gray. I love it. It’s full of books for now. I have almost all of our books on shelves finally. That’s been fun. They’ve been in storage for a year and a half. A few of the kids think it’s heaven to have all the “new” books they don’t remember anymore. Lachlan is thoroughly enjoying the shelves – the ones without doors anyway. Books litter the floor constantly from his version of reading.

Elliot turns nine this week. Her birthday request was a hoop skirt and gown. I was really hoping for something simple, but Ellie isn’t a simple sort. Fancy ought to be her middle name. I can’t wait to show her what I’ve made. Turns out, doing the hand stitching on my lap between incidences at work in the wee hours is the perfect thing to pass the time. I’m debating taking up crochet or embroidery.

Sterling got his four wheeler running. Time to buy a helmet. He’s working for the neighbor now. He, Ruby, and Charlie went to the neighbor’s last week to inquire about working pigs for him. He’d offered them work before. They haven’t been able to find him home yet, but they’re excited about the prospect.

Life is full. Days are short. My weariness is heavy, learning how to balance all in a new way. The kids are doing well. The woods bear evidence of their presence. Paths and bow and arrow shooting ranges and rocks and logs strategically placed indicate lives lived to the fullest. I love seeing it.