Nathaniel and I have been lazy all morning. Actually, we've been lazy all week. He was released from the hospital Monday, but it was not until Thursday night that I felt we were on top of his frequent vomiting. Wednesday night was rough. Concerned he was spiraling down toward dehydration again, I messaged our house church (small group at church) and pastors to pray. Slowly over the course of the day, he improved. He felt well enough to join his big brother, Peter, in a hammock outside on Thursday afternoon. Peter will be working in Alaska this summer as a supervisor at a Boy Scout camp. The hammock is newly purchased to take with him. I think the quiet afternoon will be a special memory for both of them.

Under normal conditions, Nathaniel's sensory issues cause him to move constantly. He especially loves to jump. Friday evening, Rich and I were cleaning up dinner and realized Nathaniel jumped twice. A first in over a week. It reminded me of the scene in Winnie the Pooh after Rabbit tricks Tigger into promising to never bouncing again. "Christopher Robin, I like the old, bouncy Tigger best," says Roo. "So do I," replies Christopher Robin. Rich and I like the bouncy Nathaniel best. This morning, he was quiet again. We sat on the back patio and watched the rain. He played in his sand table, touched raindrops on a leaf, and discovered a caterpillar. He called it a BEE using his talker. I enjoy hearing how he thinks.

May will be a busy month for our family. Nathaniel has appointments at Cincinnati Children's the second week.  Josiah is leaving for a four month internship/learning cooperative with a company in Wisconsin. Peter is preparing for Alaska. Bailee is in her last month of her pregnancy. Andrew will be moving from Wyoming to New Mexico. I have written before, The Cowboy and Calculated Risk,  about the similarities in raising my older children to managing Nathaniel's medical care. "It is an hourly thing, this yielding to God's control and choosing to believe in His power and sovereignty," I feel that choice between trusting God and fear again this month as the children scatter for summer plans and Nathaniel's health continues to bring challenging weeks. This week of quiet has felt good. Very under control. But still... I like the bouncy days best.

In addition to The Cowboy and Calculated Risk post, you might enjoy the series I wrote when I visited Andrew in Wyoming last September. Also below is a link to a promotional sale video for the Wyoming Quarter Horse sale in May. Andrew trained the horse, Slugger, and is the rider in the video.

My Cowboy Life, Day 1
My Cowboy Life, Day 2
My Cowboy Life, Day 3
My Cowboy Life, Day 4
Video of Andrew and Slugger