Week One: Love in the Midst of the Storm

Rooted in Faith. Growing in Grace. Living Free-Range.

This first week with the kids has been anything but quiet—and yet, somehow, it’s been full in all the right ways.

One of the kids came home Friday already under the weather with a runny nose, and before long, it made its way through the whole house. Coughing, congestion, headaches, sore throats—you name it, we’ve had it. It’s been one of those weeks where sleep is interrupted, tissues are everywhere, and energy is in short supply.

Because of it, he stayed home all week from school and daycare. His teacher wisely didn’t want anything spreading, so we shifted gears and brought him into our homeschool rhythm with the girls. Even in the middle of not feeling well, there were sweet moments—watching Story Tellers, catching up on World Watch, working through math flash cards, and even learning to draw an alligator with Buddy Davis. Not bad for a “sick week.”

She continued going to school, keeping some normalcy in her routine while we managed things at home.

We’ve also been leaning into our wellness tools this week—using doTERRA oils in, on, and diffusing them throughout the house. On Guard, lavender, and peppermint have been on repeat, along with DigestZen and PB Assist+. We’ve done warm Solé gargles and kept lemon tea close by. Simple things, but they’ve helped bring comfort while we’ve all been working through the sickness together.

If we’re being honest, this week stretched us. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally. There were moments where the exhaustion made it hard to stay encouraged—the kind of tired that weighs on your spirit, not just your body.

But this is where faith becomes more than words.

I’ve been holding tightly to God’s promises—reminding myself that this is in His hands. Not ours. And even when we feel like we’re barely holding it together, He is still steady. Still present. Still working.

Collin, the girls, and I have all stepped up in different ways to meet the needs of the kids. It’s been a family effort—serving, loving, adjusting, and learning together.

Midweek brought a scheduled visit with their birth mom. While the girls were at piano lessons, he and I ran to the store for groceries. After lessons, we all went to the park while they had their visit. He wasn’t feeling up to playing, so we kept things quiet. We listened to the story of Paul Bunyan, and he drifted off to sleep until it was time to go. A simple, peaceful moment tucked into a very full week.

And honestly? That kind of sums up this whole week.

It wasn’t perfect.

It wasn’t easy.

But it was good.

Even through the sickness.

Even through the exhaustion.

Even through the unknowns.

There has been so much love.

So many new beginnings.

So much of Jesus in the middle of it all.

And that’s when God winked—turning ordinary struggles into extraordinary miracles.