The Saturday 7

1. I was violently ill all week. I haven't slept in my own bed since last Tuesday- partly because I'm a nice wife, and partly because I sleep better when I can elevate my head on the arm of the couch. I made it through work at school on Monday due to copious amounts of coffee and tea. Wednesday was rough at Once Upon. I broke down and spent the big bucks on Mucinex cough drops which contain a cough suppressant, but I think I ate twelve of them during my five hour shift, and I was still hacking like a 20 year smoker. By that point, I'd been coughing for a solid week despite all the OTC meds I could find, and I could feel it moving to my lungs. Wednesday night was the first time I noticed that scary feeling that I was choking on my cough and couldn't catch my breath. I could also tell I was starting to wheeze. On Thursdays at school, I have a class at 8:30, then not again 'til 1:15. So I powered through the 8:30 class, then went to the doctor. She could hear gurgling in my lungs and said I was "pre-pneumonia," so she wrote me a prescription for an antibiotic, a steroid, and cough medicine with codeine. Today is day 3 of taking them all . . . and I'm still coughing. 🤦 There is no hope for me.

2. On Monday evening, I was feeling guilty about neglecting Levi, so I offered to shoot hoops in the driveway with him - which eventually turned into attempting trick shots (thanks, Dude Perfect). We had fun until my coughing got the better of me. Finally, I sat on the sidelines and Justin came out to impress the kids with his trick shots. I love nights like those. Can't wait for more of them this summer.

Don't mind our dandelion infestation. We're "helping the pollinators." 😉

3. Last night, my niece sent a picture in the family chat of the Northern Lights. Lena and I immediately ran outside to look for them and were so sad we didn't see anything. Libby did the same and reported back similar results. After a few minutes, Rieley said, "you guys aren't trying to see it with the naked eye, right? You know you have to use your phone?" Lol. I had no idea! Why have I never heard that before?? So Lena and I went back out and were able to capture a few pictures!

We have too many streetlights to get anything really vibrant, but Tyler sent us these pictures from their house, and it's been so cool to see them all over facebook.

Jesus? That you?

😲

Tonight, we drove to a nearby park that doesn't have lights. Lots of other people had the same idea, and the sky was totally clear, but we didn't see anything. 👎

4. We had another freezing cold soccer game this morning. But it was an exciting one, because Levi and Nova were playing against each other! They were adorable out there - especially Nova who can't stop grinning. And the other spectators were probably so confused, because our whole cheering section cheered for each team. Haha. Levi actually scored a goal, so that was exciting too!

Nova's #2 in blue. Levi's wearing the red penny with the ball.

Nash was also playing at the same time on the next field, so we made sure to get a picture of all three of them.

💗

Saylor too!

5. Today was also Lucy's 14th birthday! 😮

I can't wax poetic about how quickly time goes, or about how she's growing up to be such a lovely young lady because it makes me weepy, so you're just going to have to use your imagination. 😂 She wanted donuts for breakfast, we opened presents after Levi's game (oversized sweatshirt, Sol de Janiero perfume, tall Nike socks, white cowboy boots - typical teen girl gifts!), then she had a couple friends over. They walked to the thrift store across the street and spent three hours there trying on clothes and engaging in shenanigans! Lol. We got pizza for dinner. They watched Cinderella in Lucy's room and painted their nails, then I drove them home. It was a good day for a good girl who we love very much.

6. I spent the evening reading the newest book in a series I've really enjoyed: For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer. I made it about 3/4 of the way through before I had to take the girls home, and then I've been working on this blog, and now my eyes are drooping and I don't think I'll be able to stay up long enough to finish it! Travesty! But I'm really enjoying it, and you should read the whole series.

7. Just one pic, and then the memes:

Levi's slowly but surely gaining confidence and reading fluency. I read part of a chapter to him before bed, and then he said, "I'm just going to read some more until I get tired." It warms my heart!