Hoping Josh is on the mend. Fever today was only 99.

Colin woke up on Saturday from a nap with a 102.3 fever but by Saturday night it was completely gone and he acted fine. Did fine all day Sunday and no fever today. Weird.

I'm just trying to keep everybody else well and get through this week so I can head to the beach on Friday and not be leaving behind any sick kiddos.

When it rains, it pours...

Josh woke up this morning telling me his throat hurt. I took him temp and it was 101. We made plans for him to stay home from school and I called the doctor for an appointment.

He got to the doctor at 11AM and even after a dose of Tylenol at 6:30 his fever was 103.1.

Strep throat AND swine flu.

We have him isolated at my parent's house to try and minimize exposure here, especially with Colin.

I've been running back and forth checking in on him and taking him things from home.

I'm guessing he's going to be down and out for a few days but hopefully by Monday he will start to show some improvement.

The doctor said the possibility of pneumonia worried her more than anything else. She said if he starts complaining with his chest hurting to bring him back ASAP and more than likely he would be hospitalized. We are praying it doesn't get to this and his coughing doesn't get any worse.

No fun at all!

I've been Cloroxing everything in sight. I know we have all already been exposed and the doctor said if we are going to get it it would be in the next 24-48 hours so we'll have to sit back and see what happens.

I jinxed us! I was just telling someone at work yesterday that we had never taken a flu shot and never gotten the flu!

So far behind in updating and posting pictures.

The boys got a new swingset so they have been outside every afternoon. Colin loves to swing in his new swing.

I'm only in the office 2 days this week. I have to attend an update class which basically means I have to physically sit in the class for 20 hours but I can bring a book to read or whatever so I'll be catching up on all my reading Wed-Fri. I'm done at noon on Friday so I have the rest of the afternoon to myself...at least until 3PM!

11 more days till I leave for the beach and I'm ready!

We brought out all our Fall decorations this weekend so our house smells like pumpkin and fall wreaths are everywhere.

We had company Saturday night then Sunday afternoon so I'm beat even after having a weekend break.

Colin was running a fever Saturday morning, which caused me to miss a good friend's wedding, but I had to stay home with him. He seems to be doing fine now.

I've started taking advantage of the Y being 5 minutes from my office so I'm back to running each day. I have MISSED that.

A little of this...a little of that

I had some time at the bookstore yesterday and I really am going to have plenty to read over the next few weeks:

He Chose the Nails--Max Lucado
No Wonder They Call Him the Savior--Max Lucado
Come Thirsty--Max Lucado
The Space Between Us--Thrity Umrigar
What is the What--Dave Eggers
Nineteen Minutes--Jodi Picoult
Psalm 91--Prayer of Protection--Peggy Joyce Ruth
Cast of Characters--Max Lucado
Going Public with Your Faith--William Carr Peel/Walt Larimore

So excited to get started! And it looks like I'm hitting the beach September 24--27 with some friends so I should have lots of time to spend on reading and soaking up some sun while making plans for the upcoming semester of Celebrate Recovery.

The boys had great first days of school. They both are excited this year and I think working with them during the summer helped keep them prepared and ready for the new year. They are making so many new friends lately and I'm so thankful God has placed them where He has and brought the people into their lives that He has as well.

I'm ready to start the new job. It is full of potential for me to share about CR, things going on at Westwood, what God has been doing in our lives. Some people look at work as a negative but I know God has me where He wants me and is giving me opportunity after opportunity to share my faith. Too many things fell into place with this job that I haven't shared that lets me know I'm where I need to be for now.

John starts his new job on the 31st and he is very excited as well.

And we have a surprise for the boys in October...heading back to Disney for a few days. They have a mini break from school and we have some extra time ourselves so this will be a great time for us to make some more memories with them. I'm also thankful we have the option to do things like this with them while they are still young enough to enjoy them and still want to take family trips.

It is shaping up to be an exciting late summer/early fall for the Pucketts. :o)

Standing in the way of the cross

I had an opportunity this past Tuesday night to have a Bible study with 2 really cool ladies that live on my street. We are working through an awesome book and I'm learning a lot.

One of them shared a story with me that was so powerful of an image and I know how much we all love images (LINDSEY) so I wanted to pass it on. I am not sure where she originally got this from so I can't credit the author.

It seems a lady was on the beach watching her young son and his father play in the surf. The waves were crashing in and she watched him play and his whole face light up with happiness.

But then the waves took a turn and they seemed to be getting stronger. She saw him get knocked down a couple times and her heart clenched. Should she run to him? Should she step in and scoop him up out of harm's way? She readied herself to run down to her child.

Then she realized he was still laughing and playing and that his father was right by his side, making sure he was safe. He would reach up to his father from time to time and let him lift him above the chaos. She realized that had she stepped in and taken over the situation her child would have missed an experience he was enjoying. He didn't want her at that moment. He wanted his father.

It then struck her how often she does that in situations in her life. Step in and take control because she thinks she knows best. Her way is the right way. She is in control.

And it also struck her...how many times has my doing that blocked someone from the cross? Kept them from their Father when that was what they really wanted and needed.

She made it a point to then start praying that God show her times she was blocking the cross from someone in her life. That maybe her role was to walk beside them but not to step in front of them and keep them from what they truly wanted and needed.

Father, please help me to understand that I can't always step in and "save" my children from the things of this world. They are yours, Father. You control their destiny and no matter how much I desire to protect them, sometimes all they really need and want is you and the cross. Help me not to stand in the way. Help me to daily turn them over to you.