Where are we?

Dear Readers: If you've been checking this little web-log at all, you may have noticed that it's been a while since any photos of the two cutest boys ever (Jonah and Manny, in case that's not clear) have hit the page. There are two reasons for this. The first, and larger, is that our dear laptop, which has served us faithfully for three and a half years now, may be on its last legs. It had the misfortune of being pushed off the couch by the Moo awhile back (perhaps the adults in the house shouldn't leave the computer on the couch, but that is neither here nor there for the moment), which may or may not have anything to do with the fact that the powercord is sparking and, yes, burning a bit when plugged into the computer. HP's sage advice to us at this time is not to use the computer under such circumstance and to have an expert take a look. Until the time when the computer is either fixed or dear old Uncle Sam's tax refund allows us to buy a new one, no photos will be forthcoming.

The second reason is that Mama Bear (per Jonah's demand that I be called such) has been rather pre-occupied with two very sick little boys this past week. On Saturday the 31st of January, Jonah had his fourth(!) visit to the ER this winter due difficulty breathing. He was diagnosed as having a viral infection, which he soon passed on to Manny. What's more, Mama Bear herself was unaccountably sick last week as well: All three of us were laid flat on Sunday, with poor Papa Bear taking care of us. The week that followed sorely tested my patience and was, to my memory, the worst week I've ever had. The upside of this, though, is that it has made me thankful that: My boys are generally quite healthy, and when they're not, their illnesses are treatable; that our boys are quite well-behaved (they weren't last week, because they were sick, and they were nearly different little people); and that my usual patience with them generally comes naturally. Due to the stress of caring for two sick kids while being sick myself, and dealing with an array of miscellaneous inconveniences, I found myself incredibly short-tempered last week. Though I knew that the kids were sick and to a certain degree couldn't help their terrible behavior, it provided little comfort and small stay to my frustration.

Though neither of the boys is completely healthy yet, they are doing much better, as am I. What's more, the weather here in Chicago has been incredible over the weekend, and a large part of the coming week should be the same. Sunny weather yields a sunnier disposition for Mama Bear, and I'm fully optimistic that the week ahead will be better than the last. Though our illnesses have been fairly inconsequential and certainly don't compare with the terminal illnesses some parents face with their children, the relative trauma of the past week has thrown into relief for me how wonderful my life generally is. Some lessons come in unattractive packaging, but I'm thankful for them nonetheless.