"Blessed are the Flexible

for they shall not be bent out of shape. "

I have this saying on a picture that will eventually go in my kitchen (it was in my old house and just hasn't made its way to the walls here yet). Boy, have I had to remind myself of this truth this week.

We had 2 amazing weeks of school. I should have known it would hit. . . but, I'm thinking I'm so scheduled, very prioritized this year . . . I should have been more prepared for the things that would DEMAND my attention.

We've really had what I call "abbreviated homeschooling" this week . . and I hate it. What that means is we've done the basic subjects, what was required. . . no more, no less.

I've spent a total of 5 hours between doctor's offices and hospitals this week. Alec noticed this hard knot on his wrist on Monday. I called my mom (a nurse). She is very cautious (guess that's where I get it from) and told me of a scenario she saw like this one except it involved the leg of a boy a little older than Alec. I slightly freaked out, googled it, freaked a little more, then head to doc in a box (that's what we call the Urgent Care Centers). We waited at doc in a box for 2 hours to get back to our room, then after we were in the room we waited another hour. I alerted the nurse (as per the sign to do after 30 minutes of waiting). She told me she'd be right back. . . she never came. I was literally famished. I had run 9 miles that morning, hardly eaten anything, and I was literally closing my eyes as we waited.

So. . . I told all 3 kids (Jon was in Atlanta for the day) to get their things . . . we were leaving.

I called Alec's pediatrician the next day . . . went and saw him. . . went to the hospital for x-rays . . .called my friend Candis, R.T.R. to find out if she had any guesses as to what this could be. She told me to make sure I got a copy of the x-rays. They gave them to me on a CD. I got home, put it in my computer, looked at the images and tried to diagnose him myself.

The doc called this morning. Now mind you . . this is his wrist. . . his ulna (if you want specifics) that is having some pain and this hard knot . . .well apparently he has dislocated his elbow. W-H-A-T?!? He is going to an orthopedist tomorrow. His pediatrician even called the radiologist to confirm that it was his elbow. And, we relooked on the x-rays . .. sure enough . . . Strange, I tell you. Please pray for him if you think to.

Me and my control mom self so wants to take him. I can't. I've got to go to St. Simons for the day. My in-laws are so graciously using me as their real estate agent to buy another condo. Praise the Lord . . . He is providing even though Jon has put in over 30 resumes and has heard NOTHING from anyone.

Anyhoo. . . I will work tonight . . . get up in the a.m. and leave bright and early at 5:00 a.m., drive 4-1/2 hours, open up the house for the inspector . . . show them a few other houses. . . meet the inspector back at the house to see what he finds . . . leave St. Simons, drive back home 4-1/2 hours. Get the kids (or maybe meet the kids and Jon at my Mom's). I teased with Jon and told him since I had to wait about 2 hours for the inspector I was taking my bathing suit and a book and going to the beach. Seriously . . . I would do this, but my MIL wants to see a few more houses while I'm down there. This will save me a trip and also help them make a decision about what to buy.

I would love to say I've handled these things with grace and dignity, peace and calmness, smiling from ear to ear . . . I'd love to say that I haven't been bent out of shape. I'd love to say that I've been flexible and upbeat and positive.

No such luck. . . I've been very bent out of shape, extremely emotional . . . yes, there were tears. I really refused at the beginning of this homeschooling year to let anything interfere whatsoever. . . Well this is life, and this is whatsoever, and it must be handled.

If this real estate transaction goes through it will provide us with another 3-months' salary, which is huge!! God is working, and He is so good. Alec's arm is going to be fine. His diagnosis could have been so much worse. I just get a schedule in my head and I'm a stickler if I don't stick to it. . . I've had to repent of my ungratefulness and my attitude and my inability to handle pressure with grace. . . and learn . . . to be flexible. Thank the Lord I'm a work in progress, and He hasn't given up on me.