Guessing.

This parenting thing: they say it keeps you guessing. Or on your toes (or both).

This week was a week to look at the silver linings. To rejoice the joys - as small as they may be - and wrap our arms tightly around each other for the moments that were not so joyous.

We have, along with the rest of humanity, I think, been battling the sniffles and coughs and snotty noses for weeks. (Like, in my brain, I still cannot believe it is still January. Really?) Still, when Nate gets sick, it starts a tailspin of wheezing, asthma-like conditions, for which we have all now grown accustomed to treating. It's an exhaustive process, but eventually we all get through it. Mostly, it's exhausting because he wakes himself up at night from coughing. But, we all emerge from the fog, tired, and knowing that this cycle is just that: a cycle.

But... Griffin joined the fun in the snotty nose, coughing, and wheezing-while-breathing party at the end of last week. And it reach a new level on Monday night. His breathing got really really shallow, and his heart rate raced. And so we took him to the ER. Thinking we would get a breathing treatment and head home. It would be a long night, but not an unknown for us.

Except. Griffin didn't respond to the normal breathing treatment and so he was admitted to the hospital. (And I realized that in my short time parenting, we haven't had our kids spend the night in

the hospital yet.) He was on oxygen for a good while, but bounced back quickly - and thankfully, we only had to stay for 24 hours.

And sure enough: He's back to his busy, busy self, climbing and racing cars and laughing. For that, we are so grateful.

So our silver linings for the week:
Greg was home! I haven't even processed how this week would have happened without him here. I'm grateful and so relieved that he was here. To take Griffin to the ER, and do the first shift of being admitted with Griffin. And then to be super dad with Nate and Brooke when I tag-teamed and stayed with Griffin at the hospital. What a blessing that we were a two parent house this week!

Griff is so resilient, and a relatively great patient. He hated being tethered to the oxygen and monitors, but he sure was excited to get down and walk! When we were discharged, he stood at the door pounding on it to open it, and then walked down the hall to the elevators. Clearly, he was ready to go home.

Nate and Brooke were amazing. (Of course, they loved having dad around. And loved having more movies than normal. But still, they were awesome.

Family and friends in town that helped us with the juggle, and prayed for us. We felt all the support and prayer - and  are so thankful for the village that helps us with our family.

Since January is over tomorrow, here's my wish for 2015 going forward: health.