Before my vocal cord surgery, my surgeon told me that I’d be sore for a few days, I’d have strict vocal rest for 3 days, and that I’d be hoarse for 4-6 weeks. So, my expectations were sore for a few days, silent for 3 days, and scratchy hoarseness for a month or so. Turns out, “hoarse for 4-6 weeks” really meant “unable to speak above a whisper while your huge vocal cords settle down and your body reabsorbs some of the excess fat injected into them which will take 4-6 weeks.” I still needed the surgery, but it would have been nice to have this spelled out a little more clearly! So, here I am, unable to speak above a whisper. With 4 kids. Fully able to speak above a whisper. Actually, I think it may be physically impossible for Ashlyn to whisper at all. The girl pretty much has one volume setting–loud. And, the other 3 are hardly quiet.

Mark goes back to work tomorrow. God bless him. He probably can’t wait to get out of here since he’s been Mr. Everything and has to put up with me snapping and clapping at him.

In a moment of “oh-no-I-can’t-do-this,” we asked Mark’s mom to come help us out again. So thankful that she lives relatively close and is willing to drop what she’s doing to come play chess, make lunches, catch Lydia 100x on the slide, read books, etc., etc. She’s even bringing us dinner. (imagine sigh of relief here if I could produce such a noise)

One more day of help then I’m on my own. Praying God supernaturally quiets my children and loudens me. We’ve got some challenging days ahead of us.

One more day of the giveaway. Wednesday, when the kids are going crazy, and I’m ready to throw in the towel on parenting, I’ll lock myself in the bedroom and make sure to draw one of you as a lucky winner.