I had grand intentions to have a new post up today.

Alas, I was awake until 4:00 this morning coaching a preschool child who was learning how to best capture the runny results of the flu when it insisted on throwing simultaneous surprise parties at both ends of my boy’s little body.

It was rather like an epic fireworks display. Explosions everywhere. Amazing patterns. Surprised gasps from the crowd. And, just when I thought the spectacle was surely over – that it couldn’t get any bigger or more startling – there was yet another finale. And another.

And another.

My poor baby – he was misery personified. I kept holding his Pull-Up-clad self on my lap, rubbing his back and murmuring, “Oh, sweet baby. I’m sorry, hon. I love you love you,” until he finally turned around and hollered, “I KNOW THAT, MOM. You already said it A HUNDRED TIMES,” which made me smile because sassy and talk-backy is oh so much better than pitiful and lethargic.

You can see, then, why a real post will have to wait. There are unlimited Popsicles to distribute and sick kids for me to irritate, and a mama must do her kid irritation jobs first, yes?

In the meantime, while I’m totally winning at stifling my gag reflex, catching other people’s body fluids, and generally driving my family insane, I didn’t want to leave you in the lurch. With that in mind, here are a few fascinating or fun reads:

1. This post by Sarah Bessey titled “In which love looks like a black gown and a piece of paper” is about faith. It’s also one of the most stunning love letters from a wife to her husband that I’ve ever read. I resonated with Sarah’s truth, and I found myself nodding as my heart recognized their journey, full of brokenness, full of love.
2. Brené Brown’s TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, was gorgeous in its authenticity, its rejection of shame, and its insistence that we acknowledge that our children (and we!) are strong, built for struggle and are wholly worthy of love and belonging. Beautiful.
3. And finally… last night, I held myself hostage in my bathroom. You guys, some nights, a mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do for 3 minutes of sort-of-quiet. Amirite? As the drama unfolded live on the Five Kids Facebook page, you kept me company. Although we didn’t technically succeed (they had me surrounded!), you made important contributions to the success of similar, future campaigns. (Ha!) Thanks for playing along with me… or, if you’re not hanging out with us already on Facebook, stop by to say hello or to sign up to be on the Bathroom Hostages Support Team. We do have a good time!

Stay tuned for more soon. I have some exciting things coming later this week to a blog near you, and I can hardly wait to share them with you.

Beth