Woah. This week.

This week has been one that is not worth repeating. Not because horrible things happened or because I hate Valentine's Day. I have not felt my best this week. It's weird. I don't feel bad but I feel horrible. So, to just remind everyone that real life isn't what is always shown on Facebook and Instagram, here's a run-down to my hot mess of a week.

Last Saturday, I woke up just out of sorts. My head was sort of foggy and I just knew something was off. During the night I woke up often and was in pain. My teeth hurt. I haven't had a toothache since before I had my wisdom teeth removed! I couldn't believe it. I was up at 4am and had my shower, made a cup of coffee and went back to sit on my bed and read my bible before everyone had to be up for church. So at 6:00am when the other pastor texted me and our associate pastor (my Dad) about whether or not the ice/freezing rain we were getting was enough to cancel church, I wasn't too terribly disappointed when we all decided that the roads weren't safe.

Friends, as a pastor, I want to be in church and I want everyone there with me. But my teeth hurt so bad that I was ok with being able to crawl back into bed and sleep for another hour or two...and I did. That day I took more Aleve than I care to admit. I would alternate ice and heat on the side of my face. I had determined that Monday morning would entail a call to the dentist. My dentist is nice but I LOATHE going to the dentist. I have childhood trauma. Legit. ANYWAY....

I hardly slept again on Sunday night. When I got up Monday it hit me that maybe it wasn't a toothache. Like, the entire left side of my head hurt, my face hurt (just hold your jokes for yourself, okuurr), and every tooth in my mouth felt like they could just shatter at any given moment. Maybe, just maybe this is sinus pressure! I went to the office but didn't make it long. I left at lunch time and went to the drug store for some meds. When I got home, I just laid in the recliner, watched Friends, put a rice sock in the microwave and held it on my face. That medicine I got was helpful. Supposed to take it every 4 hours. It would take about a half hour to kick in, give me relief for about an hour to an hour and a half, and then it would bail on me and I would be stuck watching the clock for another hour or so before I could take the next dose. I did that until Tuesday when I was sitting at my desk, crying, watching the clock and realized that I probably have a sinus infection and I need to call my doctor. 2 hours later I had a prescription waiting for me at the pharmacy and I was asleep by 7pm! I slept ON the rice sock and slept till 1am. When I woke up in agony, still.

This goes on...Today, I wasn't doing so hot and decided to do as my husband encouraged me to do. I stayed home. Now, if you know me that doesn't mean I didn't work. I just paced myself. It is Valentine's day after all and I told my family they would have a nice dinner. Remember I shared about that here. So I made a cake and sat down for a while and then did sermon prep and then bible study. I just chilled for a bit again, while watching Friends. Duh.

Then I cleaned off the dining room table and started to set it for dinner but decided to rest a while again. Then I did some responding to emails and took a phone call. Truth be told, I showered at 2:45 today! But I was feeling 99% better than I have all week!!! And then the kids came home from school and the quiet disappeared, homework magically appeared and Fortnite came along as well.

I didn't let the throbbing headache and nagging pressure keep me down! Nope! Our special dinner had to be done! I seared 4 New York Strip steaks in a pan and then transferred them to sheet pan and put them in the oven. I boiled small red potatoes until fork tender, put them on a baking stone, smashed them, drizzled them with olive oil and seasonings and put them in the oven. Tossed a salad, fixed the picky eater a hot dog and we sat down for a nice dinner! I wish I had a picture of the before. It was cute. Each person had a red plate, a glass and their own individual bottle of Martinelli's cause, we Christian and we turn up like that (you can't tell but I was saying that like it was in a Lacrae song). Every place had a card and the boys had their gifts, too. The value of sitting down together is immeasurable.

Tonight, I am back in bed, waiting for the Ibuprofen to kick in and for 8pm to roll around so I can take the sinus pressure meds again. I regret nothing from today. I probably should have rested more but, mom life never stops, amirite? And I am here for it.

Happy Valentine's Day, Friends! No matter where you are in life or what you're dealing with right now, you are so loved by your Heavenly Father and He sees you exactly where you are. Don't you dare doubt for one moment that He is MADLY in love with you. As the Hillsong United song says, "So take courage, hold on, remember where our help comes from." I hope you feel His love tonight and the hugs that I am sending your way.

Love you lots!