A tough, but rewarding break!

In the past Jeremy and I have had times where we have been able to get away for a short weekend. Those times are really special and great memories! This year Jeremy thought that the kids really needed to get away and we needed to create some good memories as a family. If you know me, you know I love going places, but I have to be honest the idea of leaving our home right now and packing all 6 of us up driving 3 hours and all packing in a small hotel room was not exactly the get away I was thinking I needed!
       While we are seeing improvement with Alisha and her mind healing she still has times where her stress levels get to high and her mind will slip off into a "state of mind" we really don't understand. These episodes are happening less and less and seems to be allot less intense then it used to be! We believe this all to be signs of healing. But while she heals we have to make huge efforts to not stress her out, especially when she is tired.

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       The idea of riding quietly all the way to Chicago, then keeping the kids from picking at each other seemed like way to much work to me! I was thinking survival sounded nice!! Jeremy totally listened to my concerns, but really encouraged me that we  need some good things to remember and getting out of the normal might be a good break for Alisha. So we decided to do it!
When we all got ready to leave, Jeremy sat all the kids down and told the kids how we usually go off for a little get away weekend, but this year, thought we all needed  a break! He then told the kids the "Key" to making this trip a wonderful memory is that we all decide to "look out for the needs of each other over our own!" Jeremy reminded me that it would be really hard work and we would have to be really patient, but in the end we would have great memories!
        Always sickening  when you realize you have been looking out for yourself and have lost sight of really looking out for the needs of others.  These last 7 weeks have shaken us hard!  God knew I needed this reminder! While I have reminded allot of friends, this time I needed it myself that, "I will not find true joy in my life or marriage until I learn that it really is more precious to give then to receive!!"
The memories we made this weekend were great! The kids had their first cab ride, their first trip to the Shed Aquarium and their first Chicago pizza! But the memories that will never leave my mind are the times I saw my kids deliberately give up what they wanted for one of their brothers or sisters! They got to experience the joy of bringing joy! Jeremy was right it was hard work, and we were exhausted, but the reward was so worth it!

Please continue to pray that our family will be able to rely on God for continued healing, for patience and for each of us to allow God to show us how we can each change to be more like Christ!