The forecast calls for sunny days

There has been a dark cloud hanging over the Sternfeld-Dunn house that gathered the weekend Aleks burned down the house.

Just kidding.

He didn't burn down the house.

Just part of the kitchen.

Then Ruby spilled coffee all over my laptop and it died.

Have I mentioned that I'm event coordinating a 5k and producing (and singing in) an opera, both of which are happening in the first two weeks of December?

The final crack of lightening happened when the Sternfeld-Dunn ladies all got sick at the same time.

The littles had been sick for a week or so already, but it all came to a head Monday and Tuesday.

So, now we are on antibiotics and after a rough go last night, fevers have broken and all are on the mend.

Today as I washed the sheets and pillow cases, I started to feel the clouds break up and the sunlight shine down on our exhausted bodies.

But in the midst of a rough month, there have been so many wonderful things.

1. I got to spend quality one on one time with my brother. We haven't done that for years.

2. My husband is a genius and has a time machine in our house.

No, that doesn't mean he got to travel back to his high school days and rejoice in his long hair once again.

But, it does mean that I could restore a "spare" laptop with all my information and that it virtually looks and feels like my old computer.

3. We had to keep Maia home from school for two days and while I might normally groan under my breath, it's been really wonderful and cozy. The girls have been playing so well together, if it weren't for their hacking coughs and fevers (yesterday) I wouldn't have even known they were sick. And we got to miss the frenzy of pickup, which is more stressful to Ruby and I than I've realized.

4. I actually cancelled work on Tuesday, which is something I have never done for illness before. Shoot, I was teaching 2 weeks after my c-section with Ruby. Once I got past my guilt, I've mostly felt relieved that I did so and certainly I've felt healthier.

So, as this storm slowly passes I find that I appreciate the clarity of life in a new way. These things come in waves and goodness knows I've experienced these periods before. 

I'm grateful for a husband who steps up to support me rather than run away from his crazy, stressed out wife. 

And I'm grateful for daughters who gravitate toward each other, being caring and loving even though they don't feel well.

 Mostly I'm grateful that each waking moment feels lighter and that I can see clearly into the days ahead.

So here's to sunny days, antibiotics, freshly painted cabinets, and a family that gets knit together more tightly every step of this journey.