Best Laid Plans

Hello. Remember me? It's been awhile, I know. Had a case of the blues. And a severe case of the "over-worked, under-rested, going crazies." Really, that should be an official American Medical Association diagnosis.

What's been goin' on with me? Well, in the last 14 days I have done some running, taken an ice bath after running (BRRRR!), semi-successfully run a household by myself for 10 of those days while Animesh has either worked or traveled, packed snacks and lunches for school, fixed dinners my children wouldn't eat, washed 143 loads of laundry, read a trillion stories to kids, found Trevor's shoes for him at least 45 times, attended a fun 20th high school reunion, cleaned up 37 poop piles around our house left by our aging beagle, slept a total of 29 hours, consumed 900 cups of coffee, biked with my friend Lisa and then swam in Boerne lake with a million snapping turtles (they LOOKED like they were going to eat me!) and a little crab who nearly pinched my ankles off, and pasted on a fake smile for the world to see each and every morning. It's been a little exhausting. Okay. A lot exhausting.

Please don't misunderstand. I am blessed. BEYOND MEASURE! I am just explaining my absence in blogland. I have been too tired. And, too blue.

So, I'm back...and I was all fired up about my post for the Gaitor Bait Triathlon that was this morning. I had it all planned. Since Animesh is in Mexico for work (I'm sure consuming tequila is part of the business meeting), Mom and Dad took the kids last night for a sleepover. I dropped them off and headed to pick up my race packet for this morning's big race. I was stoked. I was going to have the entire evening to myself...alone in the house. More importantly, I was going to be able to sleep without having little visitors wake me in the middle of the night. I would be well-rested for the race!!!! WHOOOOO HOOOO!!!!!

Yesterday I dropped off the kids at my parents and then picked up my race packet. I then headed for the pet store. Spridle needed food. As I'm driving I receive a phone call. It's Animesh's new partner's wife. She's in labor with their 4th child. And, she's in need of a babysitter. For their 3 kids. Who, coincidentally, are the exact same ages as the 3 little Indians.

They are new to town. They have no family. And, they needed the help I had offered so many times.

I couldn't believe it. My best laid plans were foiled. While I believed whole-heartedly that I was meant to be child-less last night, God had other plans. He reminded me yet again how He is really the one in control. My focus was on giving myself a break. His goal was to help help me remember how we're on this earth to serve each other...therefore displaying His love for the world to see.

Don't get me wrong. I did shed some tears of frustration. I did experience disappointment and sadness. But, I ended up having a great time with those 3 precious children who made me miss my own little ones. The daddy arrived home at midnight after their precious baby girl had been born. I got to bed about 1:30 am. No triathlon for me this morning...couldn't drag myself out of bed at 5am...but I'm thinkin' I got a better reward than a plastic gold medal.

And, I didn't have to swim with those snapping turtles. Or the pinching crab. OR the ghost of Mr. Alligator.

And, I slept in this morning.

Thanks, God. You helped me realize for the zillionth time that maybe my best laid plans aren't always the best. And, I've got the Gaitor Bait t-shirt to remind me.