Schmidt Journey: While the Cat's away, the Mice will play!

Last weekend Tyler went to a FIRC conference (Flight Instructor Renewal Course) in order to keep his Certified Flight Instructor rating current. Because this meant 3 full days by myself (the weekend-2 nights), I'd been preparing for this weekend alone for quite awhile, finding friends that can keep me company while I'm with the kids. However, it had been a horrible week: first Aaron got sick, then Caleb, and most nights we got very little sleep, and none of us had any energy. I thought, "Of course this has to be the weekend Tyler is gone, when I am already sleep-deprived and not feeling great myself!". (recognize a little self-pity?) But, lately, the Lord has been showing me just how powerful He is and the power of prayer. I am so blessed to have several strong spiritual prayer warriors on my side, as well as supportive and encouraging friends. There was not even one moment last weekend where I felt like I couldn't handle things any more, or felt discouraged, or even like crying (for those Mom's out there, you know how hard that is when you're sleep deprived!). I know that it was God's power working through the prayers of my family and friends, and, of course, the friends that spent some time helping me!

Now, I feel slightly self-conscious typing this. I realize one weekend home alone with the kids is nothing in the long run. There are many people parenting on their own all the time, or for a year while the husband serves overseas with the military. But for me, this long weekend alone was a challenge. I am so thankful the Lord could use even this little time to show me that He will always sustain me, that His power alone can wipe away discouragement, strengthen us emotionally and physically, and He always provides what we need when we need it.

Caleb, Aaron and I attempted to do a few fun things this weekend, though we couldn't go out much due to their colds and the snow/ice we just got. Here's a little snapshot of our time while "the Cat" (Tyler) was away!