My thanks to The shifts

On Saturday morning I woke up and something in me had shifted. I laid in bed knowing I had 2 to dress for soccer and 2 to get ready for swim lessons....breakfast to make for 6....the dog to feed and walk....and food to make for a party later in the day. But something wasn't right....I felt weak and cold and achy....I did my momma stuff and asked Jeremy if he could take the girls to swim lessons...I just didn't feel good.  

When they returned from swim, Sarah Kate said she didn't feel good and I shifted again....you can't feel bad when you have someone else to take care of...a little needs you too much. In moments the puking began and a steady stream of baths, laundry and carpet cleaning began. The momma shift had restored me and the only one sick was my pitiful Sarah Kate.

U of L was playing and Jenna brought me over my very own Cards T-shirt and I put it on cause that's how much I love her.....

 I got everyone ready...made the food and Jeremy took the others to the party while I stayed home to take care of Sarah Kate.

 I did run over after the game to take a quick pic with Jenna in our Cards wear..(this may be a one time only pic, you know!) The shift was sustaining...I felt good....

 As the afternoon entered evening...Sarah Kate stopped throwing up...and was just tired... the piles of throw up towels were clean....the sheets were all changed and the house was sanitized....and I felt it...things shifted again....I was allowed to feel it....to be sick again...and it hit me hard....it was a night of the toilet, bath, bed dance. I woke up five pounds lighter and feverish and weak.

 The shift had let me feel it hard and fast...as I sat lifeless on the couch Sunday morning...Lila crawled up in my lap and as her hot body got hotter and hotter....I felt the shift again.....my time would have to end...it was her turn...

 I was weak from the battle but the shift let me take care of baby girl...get the puke piles of laundry started and all the sheets changed again....I know every piece of me hurt but the shift didn't  let me feel the hurt..it just propelled me forward. It was a big day too as the Cats were playing to go to the final four and Riggs told me if I was sick we were going to loose....I pulled myself off the couch.... took a bath and put on my UK shirt....

I got the good luck cookies made.....

 and the queso ready just in time for tip off....Lila and I put it on our plates but didn't dare take a bite....

The Cats won and are final four bound to play the Cards!

It was a happy, happy moment in our weekend....

Lila's high fever continued...and the next to fall was Riggs...

I am so happy he got to enjoy the game before he got sick..those Wildcats mean so much to him!

The shift sustained me and I am so thankful. It was Sunday and Monday of more sickness...a constant haze of what can I do to make it better.....on Tuesday morning I finally got our of that Kentucky shirt I put on for the game on Sunday. As I peeled it off my body...and let the hot shower pour over me....I just cried...I am not sure why but I did....

I want to remember all of this...I want to remember how hard it is at times...and how you sometimes enter what I call survival mode. I don't want to forget any of it...because it's weekends like this that make me the mother that I am. Mothering is such a force...it takes over...it gives you the shifts to do what you need to do for those you love...even when you have nothing to give....the shifts of motherhood provide....and propelled on the fuel of love you more forward and take care of the ones you love most. You hold fevered bodies....clean up puke by the buckets....and you don't think twice about it....

We are slowing climbing out of this battle field.....

 and feeling a little stronger everyday.....

 Tomorrow we will be back in business 100%....

It did feel like a battle and the weekend was a whopper....but in a strange way it makes you feel amazing....like you fought the battle and you won....and like the virus questioned my mothering abilities and I proved I was worthy...and that feels good....that no matter what the shifts in me will help me do what I need to do.....my heartfelt thanks to the shifts. I couldn't have done it without you.