Friday March 30, 2012
This is a neat feature that I learned from Single Dad Laughing. Each day when he publishes, at the top of his blog is the feature "500 Posts Ago". It's a flashback to posts that were so long ago, and it breathes new life into the blog.
So, I thought I would start with my most popular posts, and expand on them. I am now on Twitter (@Rairighk) and I share my blog posts with the rest of the world that can't see them on Facebook. This is in an effort to grow my blog and get it out there. Someday, maybe it will be in the right hands and go further than just my own computer screen!
103 posts ago I wrote about Postpartum Depression (PPD), and gave a shortened version of what we went through (you can read it here). This was my very first blog post and at the time I wrote it, my youngest baby was 18 months old. I was still experiencing symptoms, I was seeing a therapist weekly and I was on antidepressants.
Since that time, I have learned so much about PPD and how to overcome it. I can honestly say that PPD has affected me permanently - by that I mean that while I don't still suffer from symptoms directly, it has forever altered how I view motherhood.
Whether that was my choice to allow PPD to do that, or it happened naturally, I feel that the PPD I experienced after the birth of my first daughter was mis-diagnosed, and not treated properly.
The world of Postpartum Depression is broad, and each woman who suffers from it experiences a variance of symptoms. While traumatic for me, I consider mine on the minor side.
I have since learned more about not only PPD, but Postpartum Psychosis (PPSD) and other disorders that sway to the extreme side of instability after having a baby.
Many women are ashamed of not feeling like the mother that their friends, neighbors, family and society are, or tell them they should be. It is a haunting disease and unless you or someone you know has experienced it, you could never possibly understand.
If you or someone you know are experiencing PPD or PPSD, please reach out. Start with your doctor. Make sure you tell your spouse, your best friend, your Mom. I know it's hard to talk about, it's SO hard to explain the feelings that you are experiencing, but you cannot remain silent.
There is so much joy and life to live with your baby, your spouse, your other children and this disease will eat you alive. If you do not get the support you need from your doctor, your family or your friends, keep searching. Find the strength to keep going every day - and keep searching for an out. Below are a couple of resources that may help point you in the right direction:
The Online PPMD Support Group - this page has a link to live support, and they will search for support in your area, free of charge. There is also a crisis hotline listed on this page.
Postpartum Support International - another easy to maneuver website with links to support in your area, and a network of women having the same experiences.
Thank you for reading (again). I am thankful that I am able to share my experiences - it has taken a long time for me to come to grips with my "new" life as a mother. Here's another link to Flashbacks To Losing It. If it helps just one new mother, then my goal was accomplished.
Please share this post in your circles. Statistics show that 1 in 8 new mothers experience some form of PPD or PPSD. Motherhood is such an amazing miracle and gift from our Creator. This disease robs all of us from experiencing that joy - so hopefully together we can heal.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Skittles For Lunch (86/366)
Thursday March 29, 2012
I've never professed to be a perfect mom - in fact, I'm super-far from it!
Some days I do my best...
Others, I am a wee bit of a slacker.
Like today.
We got up this morning and got ready for Hannah to head to school. When she got on the bus (an accident-free journey today, unlike yesterday), I sat down to inhale a cup of coffee or two.
Ava and I headed out to "The Car Store", our local bodyshop for a long overdue oil change.
An hour later, we were headed to the grocery store.
Another hour later, we were headed home. I could've gone for McDonald's for lunch, but Pink Slime isn't on the menu today.
I figured we would make sandwiches or something at home before I put Ava down for her nap.
While my phone wouldn't stop ringing, I ended up being in one conversation or another for over an hour. At this time, it was 12:30.
The entire time I was yacking away on the phone, Ava was happily seated on the living room floor eating a bag of Skittles that I had bought her in the grocery checkout lane to keep her content - she had been getting restless in the store as her lunch and naptimes were drawing ever near.
I realized at this point I had 3 hours until we needed to leave to pick Hannah up and head to dance class.
"If I feed her lunch now," I thought, "It will be at least an hour before she's done eating, and I have to wake her by 3 so we can leave by 3:30..."
So I dropped the gauntlet.
And for the next 10 minutes I tried convincing her that naps were good, that I hate taking naps too, that I understand her plight...
As I laid her in bed, she was still finishing the last two Skittles. She washed them down with her sippy cup of ice water, I kissed her goodnight and left the room.
No, I don't have a sinking feeling in my gut because I didn't feed my kid lunch today.
No, I don't care that this one time she went down for a nap with skittles on her teeth.
Ava is the least hungry kid that I've ever known. She never asks for food. Most other days, we eat as healthy and balanced as our budget will provide. But yes, sometimes us girls have cereal for dinner.
So what?!
It is what it is. Sometimes that happens. I'm not sorry.
Ava is no worse for the wear because she didn't get a big balanced meal for lunch today. And it will most likely happen many more times in the years to come.
I did it.
You did it.
I'm alive.
You're alive.
I think sometimes we as parents put waaaaaay too much of society's pressure on ourselves to consistently give the BEST ALL OF THE TIME.
I think we forget to live.
I think we get a little farther away from reality.
Yes, most of the time our children (and ourselves) need healthy balanced meals, they need strict guidelines from their parents, they need rules, they need structure.
But seriously, that's NO FUN.
So, let's relax a little. No, I'm not suggesting that you give your kid Skittles for lunch any day. That's up to you.
But I am suggesting that we just CHILL.
Don't you think better kids come from chill parents than super uptight-rulesy ones?
I can't wait to send my beautiful princesses next door to roll in the mud with those 4 roudy neighbor boys.
I will be right there filming and taking pictures - laughing right along with them.
(And then I'll go home and cry about the fact that their most mud-worthy playclothes are still in stellar condition, and I now have to throw them away). But no one will see that!
I'm thankful for the opportunity to NOT take life so seriously sometimes.
It's really fun. You should try it!
I've never professed to be a perfect mom - in fact, I'm super-far from it!
Some days I do my best...
Others, I am a wee bit of a slacker.
Like today.
We got up this morning and got ready for Hannah to head to school. When she got on the bus (an accident-free journey today, unlike yesterday), I sat down to inhale a cup of coffee or two.
Ava and I headed out to "The Car Store", our local bodyshop for a long overdue oil change.
An hour later, we were headed to the grocery store.
Another hour later, we were headed home. I could've gone for McDonald's for lunch, but Pink Slime isn't on the menu today.
I figured we would make sandwiches or something at home before I put Ava down for her nap.
While my phone wouldn't stop ringing, I ended up being in one conversation or another for over an hour. At this time, it was 12:30.
The entire time I was yacking away on the phone, Ava was happily seated on the living room floor eating a bag of Skittles that I had bought her in the grocery checkout lane to keep her content - she had been getting restless in the store as her lunch and naptimes were drawing ever near.
I realized at this point I had 3 hours until we needed to leave to pick Hannah up and head to dance class.
"If I feed her lunch now," I thought, "It will be at least an hour before she's done eating, and I have to wake her by 3 so we can leave by 3:30..."
So I dropped the gauntlet.
And for the next 10 minutes I tried convincing her that naps were good, that I hate taking naps too, that I understand her plight...
As I laid her in bed, she was still finishing the last two Skittles. She washed them down with her sippy cup of ice water, I kissed her goodnight and left the room.
No, I don't have a sinking feeling in my gut because I didn't feed my kid lunch today.
No, I don't care that this one time she went down for a nap with skittles on her teeth.
Ava is the least hungry kid that I've ever known. She never asks for food. Most other days, we eat as healthy and balanced as our budget will provide. But yes, sometimes us girls have cereal for dinner.
So what?!
It is what it is. Sometimes that happens. I'm not sorry.
Ava is no worse for the wear because she didn't get a big balanced meal for lunch today. And it will most likely happen many more times in the years to come.
I did it.
You did it.
I'm alive.
You're alive.
I think sometimes we as parents put waaaaaay too much of society's pressure on ourselves to consistently give the BEST ALL OF THE TIME.
I think we forget to live.
I think we get a little farther away from reality.
Yes, most of the time our children (and ourselves) need healthy balanced meals, they need strict guidelines from their parents, they need rules, they need structure.
But seriously, that's NO FUN.
So, let's relax a little. No, I'm not suggesting that you give your kid Skittles for lunch any day. That's up to you.
But I am suggesting that we just CHILL.
Don't you think better kids come from chill parents than super uptight-rulesy ones?
I can't wait to send my beautiful princesses next door to roll in the mud with those 4 roudy neighbor boys.
I will be right there filming and taking pictures - laughing right along with them.
(And then I'll go home and cry about the fact that their most mud-worthy playclothes are still in stellar condition, and I now have to throw them away). But no one will see that!
I'm thankful for the opportunity to NOT take life so seriously sometimes.
It's really fun. You should try it!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
How Precious Life Is (85/366)
Wednesday March 28, 2012
BIG scare today!
After I got Hannah on the bus, I sat in bed drinking a cup of coffee, watching The Today Show. My phone rang around 8:50 AM, and when I looked at the caller ID, it was Hannah's school.
My first thought was oh, geez, she got bus-sick again! So, when I answered, an automated message said the following:
"Bus #xx has been involved in a traffic accident. All students and the bus driver are unharmed. More details to come later."
Ummm, WHAT?!
My heart leaped into my throat. My first instinct was to totally FREAK OUT! So, I called my husband and the first words I said to him (frantically) were, "Ok, just listen to what I tell you then tell me to calm down and then tell me what to do."
He listened patiently, and when I was finished with the story, he told me to calm down and call the school. So I did.
I was told that there would be a counselor at the school to meet the kids when they got off the bus that picked them up from the accident, and that the school would contact any individual parents of children that were having a particularly hard time.
RED FLAG!! REALLY?! If it was a simple accident/fender bender, why would the kids need a counselor?
So I called my neighbor who has kids that ride the bus with Hannah. I assumed she would know. She always knows. And she usually has TONS of details.
She didn't know.
Between her phone calls and mine, we figured out what happened.
The bus stopped 1/4 mile from my house to pick up 2 kids. Just before the bus driver locked the bus brakes to stop the bus and open the door, a car traveling at full speed (55-60 mph) didn't see the bus and plowed into the back of it.
The car was driven by a 19 year old girl and she was the only passenger. I don't know what she was doing, there were no skid marks indicating she tried to stop, and the entire front end of the passenger side of her car was underneath the bus.
Had the bus not been pulled to the side of the road, she would have been decapitated.
Had she been positioned 6 inches more to the right on the road, she would have been decapitated.
(Photos Courtesty of woodtv.com)
As it turns out, she jumped out of her car and ran through the yard where the accident took place. She was bloody from cuts, her arm was clearly broken and her neck was already swollen from what appeared to be some severe whiplash. She was concerned about how her dad would react to her having wrecked the car. I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt on this one and say she was in shock - I'd like to think she was horrified that she hit a bus-full of young elementary school students, and not at all worried about her car.
The bus driver said that had she locked the bus brakes, most or all of the kids on board would have sustained pretty serious injuries. They would have been thrown about the bus like marbles in a bag. Instead, the kids did all jerk forward and hit their faces or their heads on the seats in front of each one them.
Had the driver of the car swerved to the left to miss the bus, she would have hit an oncoming car.
Had she swerved to the right to miss the bus, she would have run over the 2 kids waiting to board the bus.
I called Hannah's teacher and spoke with her just after Hannah got to school. She was a little shaken up, but okay. I figured if I went to the school to see her, she would have fallen apart. So, I just asked her teacher to keep an eye on her and if there were any problems that she call me right away.
As the morning went on, I couldn't stand the fact that I hadn't laid hands or eyes on my sweet baby girl. At Hannah's lunch time, Ava and I made a trip to the school to see her.
All of the kids swarmed us. I got hugs from at least half of Hannah's classmates. Ava was poked, prodded, tickled, touched and hugged on too. And when I saw Hannah, I fell apart. Not Hannah - she was strong as a rock, seemingly unaffected by what had happened.
Of course, I couldn't let her see me fall apart, so I quickly composed myself and just hugged her.
I know, I know, given that everyone was okay I should have been a little less emotional about the whole thing. But with all of the phone calls, the texts, the calls to school, the bus garage, my husband, my mom and mother in law, etc. I was so worked up and just needed to SEE her. I just needed to see that she was handling what happened alright. It was her first vehicle accident, and I'm sure seeing the other car trapped under the bus, and seeing the young girl bloody and running through our neighbor's yard was somewhat traumatic.
But she was fine. She was happy to see her sissy and me, and she was fine.
I can't say that I've ever experienced the panic/fear/worry/concern/eager/curious emotions that I felt all at once today wondering if Hannah was alright. I know the phone call said there were no injuries, but for a 6 year old something like that is scary!
The Lord was looking out for the kids on the bus, the bus driver, my neighbor's kids waiting on the lawn to board the bus and the driver of that car. There were angels on our road today.
In a split second, life can change. So many people have experienced that already in their lives. Today, I got a small snippet.
I am done running the scenarios through my head.
I am just thankful that it turned out the way it did.
And I will hug my kids a little tighter tonight.
BIG scare today!
After I got Hannah on the bus, I sat in bed drinking a cup of coffee, watching The Today Show. My phone rang around 8:50 AM, and when I looked at the caller ID, it was Hannah's school.
My first thought was oh, geez, she got bus-sick again! So, when I answered, an automated message said the following:
"Bus #xx has been involved in a traffic accident. All students and the bus driver are unharmed. More details to come later."
Ummm, WHAT?!
My heart leaped into my throat. My first instinct was to totally FREAK OUT! So, I called my husband and the first words I said to him (frantically) were, "Ok, just listen to what I tell you then tell me to calm down and then tell me what to do."
He listened patiently, and when I was finished with the story, he told me to calm down and call the school. So I did.
I was told that there would be a counselor at the school to meet the kids when they got off the bus that picked them up from the accident, and that the school would contact any individual parents of children that were having a particularly hard time.
RED FLAG!! REALLY?! If it was a simple accident/fender bender, why would the kids need a counselor?
So I called my neighbor who has kids that ride the bus with Hannah. I assumed she would know. She always knows. And she usually has TONS of details.
She didn't know.
Between her phone calls and mine, we figured out what happened.
The bus stopped 1/4 mile from my house to pick up 2 kids. Just before the bus driver locked the bus brakes to stop the bus and open the door, a car traveling at full speed (55-60 mph) didn't see the bus and plowed into the back of it.
The car was driven by a 19 year old girl and she was the only passenger. I don't know what she was doing, there were no skid marks indicating she tried to stop, and the entire front end of the passenger side of her car was underneath the bus.
Had the bus not been pulled to the side of the road, she would have been decapitated.
Had she been positioned 6 inches more to the right on the road, she would have been decapitated.
(Photos Courtesty of woodtv.com)
As it turns out, she jumped out of her car and ran through the yard where the accident took place. She was bloody from cuts, her arm was clearly broken and her neck was already swollen from what appeared to be some severe whiplash. She was concerned about how her dad would react to her having wrecked the car. I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt on this one and say she was in shock - I'd like to think she was horrified that she hit a bus-full of young elementary school students, and not at all worried about her car.
The bus driver said that had she locked the bus brakes, most or all of the kids on board would have sustained pretty serious injuries. They would have been thrown about the bus like marbles in a bag. Instead, the kids did all jerk forward and hit their faces or their heads on the seats in front of each one them.
Had the driver of the car swerved to the left to miss the bus, she would have hit an oncoming car.
Had she swerved to the right to miss the bus, she would have run over the 2 kids waiting to board the bus.
I called Hannah's teacher and spoke with her just after Hannah got to school. She was a little shaken up, but okay. I figured if I went to the school to see her, she would have fallen apart. So, I just asked her teacher to keep an eye on her and if there were any problems that she call me right away.
As the morning went on, I couldn't stand the fact that I hadn't laid hands or eyes on my sweet baby girl. At Hannah's lunch time, Ava and I made a trip to the school to see her.
All of the kids swarmed us. I got hugs from at least half of Hannah's classmates. Ava was poked, prodded, tickled, touched and hugged on too. And when I saw Hannah, I fell apart. Not Hannah - she was strong as a rock, seemingly unaffected by what had happened.
Of course, I couldn't let her see me fall apart, so I quickly composed myself and just hugged her.
I know, I know, given that everyone was okay I should have been a little less emotional about the whole thing. But with all of the phone calls, the texts, the calls to school, the bus garage, my husband, my mom and mother in law, etc. I was so worked up and just needed to SEE her. I just needed to see that she was handling what happened alright. It was her first vehicle accident, and I'm sure seeing the other car trapped under the bus, and seeing the young girl bloody and running through our neighbor's yard was somewhat traumatic.
But she was fine. She was happy to see her sissy and me, and she was fine.
I can't say that I've ever experienced the panic/fear/worry/concern/eager/curious emotions that I felt all at once today wondering if Hannah was alright. I know the phone call said there were no injuries, but for a 6 year old something like that is scary!
The Lord was looking out for the kids on the bus, the bus driver, my neighbor's kids waiting on the lawn to board the bus and the driver of that car. There were angels on our road today.
In a split second, life can change. So many people have experienced that already in their lives. Today, I got a small snippet.
I am done running the scenarios through my head.
I am just thankful that it turned out the way it did.
And I will hug my kids a little tighter tonight.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Shout Out (84/366)
Tuesday March 27, 2012
After yesterday's post (not posted until today, but the one titled Fork In The Road) I feel a need to explain just a bit why I made the decision to change the subject matter of the blog.
I am following a blog called Single Dad Laughing (check it out here). I read his posts everyday and I think he is very real, very raw (sometimes too raw), and very honest. These are qualities I am looking to have more of in my own writings.
Since I started following his blog, I've become a little more comfortable in my own skin. He's just a guy that was going through a rough time in his life, and he started a blog. He didn't really know where it was going to go, but it has reached thousands - and touched hundreds of thousands.
In reading his posts, I've gained confidence to write and speak about what's important to me - the failures, the embarassing moments, the raw life experience I've had.
The other blogs I follow are too many to list, but one of the most important is written by my friend (and neighbor) Denise. You can check hers out here. Her latest post about seeing the movie The Hunger Games with her oldest son, and the teachable moments that came from it is inspiring.
Denise is real. She is raw. She is honest. But differently so.
She and I could not be more different (we do have many things in common, I'm overexaggerating) ~ with the exception of one major thing: our faith.
Most posts, Denise ties her life experience of raising four boys in with her faith and how our relationship with God is so similar to our relationship and experiences as parents. I wish I were a little better in that area. I really really do.
Denise shows humor, honesty, humility and just great fun in her posts. I enjoy reading them when she publishes. I admire her courage to write about parenting the way she does. If I could be half the mom she is...
So these two blogs, mostly, have pushed me over the edge to go back to writing about the things that are hard to read, or talk about, or acknowledge.
It's difficult, and I'm scared.
The end goal: to provide healing, help, advice and plain 'ol entertainment to my readers!
I'm thankful for the inspiration I have received from others. And let's not forget Meg, who got me started on this journey of everyday blogging - It's all YOUR fault!!! ;)
After yesterday's post (not posted until today, but the one titled Fork In The Road) I feel a need to explain just a bit why I made the decision to change the subject matter of the blog.
I am following a blog called Single Dad Laughing (check it out here). I read his posts everyday and I think he is very real, very raw (sometimes too raw), and very honest. These are qualities I am looking to have more of in my own writings.
Since I started following his blog, I've become a little more comfortable in my own skin. He's just a guy that was going through a rough time in his life, and he started a blog. He didn't really know where it was going to go, but it has reached thousands - and touched hundreds of thousands.
In reading his posts, I've gained confidence to write and speak about what's important to me - the failures, the embarassing moments, the raw life experience I've had.
The other blogs I follow are too many to list, but one of the most important is written by my friend (and neighbor) Denise. You can check hers out here. Her latest post about seeing the movie The Hunger Games with her oldest son, and the teachable moments that came from it is inspiring.
Denise is real. She is raw. She is honest. But differently so.
She and I could not be more different (we do have many things in common, I'm overexaggerating) ~ with the exception of one major thing: our faith.
Most posts, Denise ties her life experience of raising four boys in with her faith and how our relationship with God is so similar to our relationship and experiences as parents. I wish I were a little better in that area. I really really do.
Denise shows humor, honesty, humility and just great fun in her posts. I enjoy reading them when she publishes. I admire her courage to write about parenting the way she does. If I could be half the mom she is...
So these two blogs, mostly, have pushed me over the edge to go back to writing about the things that are hard to read, or talk about, or acknowledge.
It's difficult, and I'm scared.
The end goal: to provide healing, help, advice and plain 'ol entertainment to my readers!
I'm thankful for the inspiration I have received from others. And let's not forget Meg, who got me started on this journey of everyday blogging - It's all YOUR fault!!! ;)
Fork In The Road (83/366)
Monday March 26, 2012
I love to write.
It's incredibly therapeutic for me.
I appreciate everyone who reads my blog, whether you get the email feed and click right away, or you come to it at your leisure.
Lately I've been feeling like something is missing.
I started this blog in 2010 when I was in the process of pulling myself out of the deep, dark hole of depression. There were so many things bogging my mind down. Not the least of which being the Postpartum Depression I was still struggling with. That post, Flashbacks To Losing It, remains the most popular and by far the most read.
My goal at that time was to write about things that NO One was talking about, but SO many people were feeling or experiencing. I've never been afraid to speak my mind or say things that some might find uncomfortable.
Of course, this leaves me open to judgement by many. I've gone back & forth about how far to go with postings. I've always done my best to be anonymous, never naming names. Any pictures I post of others or their kids are done so with their permission first.
Recently, I've been posting about my kids, things we've done or things they've said. I think that's important to do as well.
But not everyday.
When I agreed to blog everyday for an entire year, I had no idea really what I was getting myself into. It is a huge task.
Not every day has a story. Not every day has a momentous occasion to share. Not every day is there something weighing heavy on my mind.
I am almost 3 complete months into my year of daily blogging and I feel it has gotten a little off track. When I write about the hard stuff, the controversial stuff, the personal stuff, there are at times 10 times more readers on those posts.
That tells me a lot.
Either people like to read about the hard stuff, or they are sharing it more with their friends, or they are talking more about me and how my (sometimes crazy) mind works, or they're trying to figure out who I am talking about ~ no matter which it is, people are reading.
9 times out of 10, I am getting praise and compliments for the popular posts. I've been told to reserve a copy of my first book for some friends. I get private messages from people that can relate. I get public comments of praise.
I also get some criticism, but that is to be expected. I don't expect anyone to think or feel the way that I do. I blog based on my own life experience and how it has shaped my mind to think.
So I've decided to go back to posting about the things that no one talks about. Of course, some of these posts will be controversial and you may not agree with them. I'm going to try to keep it personal and relay to you how it seems from my eyes, but I welcome your comments and your feedback. I will, of course, continue to be discreet and respectful of the situations and experiences I choose to blog about. Losing followers in no way compares to losing friends ~ and I would never want to alienate any of my friends. I may even change the name of this blog... I'm still debating that one.
I want to grow this blog, and hopefully turn it into something bigger someday. Since I have become a mother, I have very much desired to write a book. I would love to write about divorce and how it affects teenage girls (I'm sure this has been done hundreds of times, but my story is different), I would love to write a book about how having step-parents has affected me as a young girl, teenager and a woman (also, been done before), and I would love to write a book about the after-life of becoming a mother. While joyous and miraculous, having children for me has not even come close to being the experience I had in my mind that it would be. I think that is something many women feel, don't talk about, and may find some comfort in knowing they're not alone.
Today, I'm thankful for the decision that was so hard for me to make. I am thankful for those readers that stick with me through this and help me along the way.
It is with a deep breath that I click "publish".
I love to write.
It's incredibly therapeutic for me.
I appreciate everyone who reads my blog, whether you get the email feed and click right away, or you come to it at your leisure.
Lately I've been feeling like something is missing.
I started this blog in 2010 when I was in the process of pulling myself out of the deep, dark hole of depression. There were so many things bogging my mind down. Not the least of which being the Postpartum Depression I was still struggling with. That post, Flashbacks To Losing It, remains the most popular and by far the most read.
My goal at that time was to write about things that NO One was talking about, but SO many people were feeling or experiencing. I've never been afraid to speak my mind or say things that some might find uncomfortable.
Of course, this leaves me open to judgement by many. I've gone back & forth about how far to go with postings. I've always done my best to be anonymous, never naming names. Any pictures I post of others or their kids are done so with their permission first.
Recently, I've been posting about my kids, things we've done or things they've said. I think that's important to do as well.
But not everyday.
When I agreed to blog everyday for an entire year, I had no idea really what I was getting myself into. It is a huge task.
Not every day has a story. Not every day has a momentous occasion to share. Not every day is there something weighing heavy on my mind.
I am almost 3 complete months into my year of daily blogging and I feel it has gotten a little off track. When I write about the hard stuff, the controversial stuff, the personal stuff, there are at times 10 times more readers on those posts.
That tells me a lot.
Either people like to read about the hard stuff, or they are sharing it more with their friends, or they are talking more about me and how my (sometimes crazy) mind works, or they're trying to figure out who I am talking about ~ no matter which it is, people are reading.
9 times out of 10, I am getting praise and compliments for the popular posts. I've been told to reserve a copy of my first book for some friends. I get private messages from people that can relate. I get public comments of praise.
I also get some criticism, but that is to be expected. I don't expect anyone to think or feel the way that I do. I blog based on my own life experience and how it has shaped my mind to think.
So I've decided to go back to posting about the things that no one talks about. Of course, some of these posts will be controversial and you may not agree with them. I'm going to try to keep it personal and relay to you how it seems from my eyes, but I welcome your comments and your feedback. I will, of course, continue to be discreet and respectful of the situations and experiences I choose to blog about. Losing followers in no way compares to losing friends ~ and I would never want to alienate any of my friends. I may even change the name of this blog... I'm still debating that one.
I want to grow this blog, and hopefully turn it into something bigger someday. Since I have become a mother, I have very much desired to write a book. I would love to write about divorce and how it affects teenage girls (I'm sure this has been done hundreds of times, but my story is different), I would love to write a book about how having step-parents has affected me as a young girl, teenager and a woman (also, been done before), and I would love to write a book about the after-life of becoming a mother. While joyous and miraculous, having children for me has not even come close to being the experience I had in my mind that it would be. I think that is something many women feel, don't talk about, and may find some comfort in knowing they're not alone.
Today, I'm thankful for the decision that was so hard for me to make. I am thankful for those readers that stick with me through this and help me along the way.
It is with a deep breath that I click "publish".
The Aftermath (82/366)
Sunday March 25, 2012
Well yesterday was a complete success!
The dance pictures went as smooth as could be.
We were there right on time, only waited 10 minutes, and were back home within an hour.
And it's a 20 minute drive each way.
That's pretty good.
I must thank my step-mom Dianne for coming over early to the party and helping me with hair and make-up.
Things went so smoothly and we were so ahead of time that it almost seemed as though I didn't need her.
But without her, I'm sure it would have gone very differently.
(Above: Hannah, 6 going on 16)
(Above: Ava, Age 3)
(Below: Sisters - I've been told they are almost identical!)
The party was an absolute blast!
Aside from my daughter Hannah throwing a dance party using my iPod instead of hers (she knows better) with the kitchen stereo (think hip-hop and rock vs. Kids Bop) everything went amazingly well!
I love seeing our friends after not seeing them since the end of summer last year.
It's always amazing to me how much their kids have grown! I love watching our kids, who are all about the same age, play together as if they see each other all the time!
And to see those friends who are expecting new babies this late spring and summer is so exciting too!
Today I'm thankful that everything went off without a hitch. We had plenty of food, the weather was nice enough that we played outside mostly and it seemed as though everyone had a great time catching up.
I know I did!
Well yesterday was a complete success!
The dance pictures went as smooth as could be.
We were there right on time, only waited 10 minutes, and were back home within an hour.
And it's a 20 minute drive each way.
That's pretty good.
I must thank my step-mom Dianne for coming over early to the party and helping me with hair and make-up.
Things went so smoothly and we were so ahead of time that it almost seemed as though I didn't need her.
But without her, I'm sure it would have gone very differently.
(Above: Hannah, 6 going on 16)
(Above: Ava, Age 3)
(Below: Sisters - I've been told they are almost identical!)
The party was an absolute blast!
Aside from my daughter Hannah throwing a dance party using my iPod instead of hers (she knows better) with the kitchen stereo (think hip-hop and rock vs. Kids Bop) everything went amazingly well!
I love seeing our friends after not seeing them since the end of summer last year.
It's always amazing to me how much their kids have grown! I love watching our kids, who are all about the same age, play together as if they see each other all the time!
And to see those friends who are expecting new babies this late spring and summer is so exciting too!
Today I'm thankful that everything went off without a hitch. We had plenty of food, the weather was nice enough that we played outside mostly and it seemed as though everyone had a great time catching up.
I know I did!
The BIG Day (81/366)
Saturday March 24, 2012
Today is the big day.
Not only do we have the girls' birthday party, but we also have the girls' dance pictures.
I love getting their dance pictures taken.
And so do they.
They get to put tons of makeup on, and it's the first time they get to wear their recital costumes.
After that, we get to race home to put on our party dresses and play!
Their birthday party is usually a big event around here.
We invite our whole family, and all of our friends and their kids.
It's kind of a "Mid-Winter" break and get-together.
There are upwards of 30 or more people here.
Best of all, I don't have to clean today.
At all.
Maybe a little pick up after everyone has gone home, but I'll save the after-party cleaning for tomorrow.
Today, I'm going to relax and enjoy myself.
I am thankful for great family and friends - both for Mommy and my girls. It is something I look forward to every year.
Today is the big day.
Not only do we have the girls' birthday party, but we also have the girls' dance pictures.
I love getting their dance pictures taken.
And so do they.
They get to put tons of makeup on, and it's the first time they get to wear their recital costumes.
After that, we get to race home to put on our party dresses and play!
Their birthday party is usually a big event around here.
We invite our whole family, and all of our friends and their kids.
It's kind of a "Mid-Winter" break and get-together.
There are upwards of 30 or more people here.
Best of all, I don't have to clean today.
At all.
Maybe a little pick up after everyone has gone home, but I'll save the after-party cleaning for tomorrow.
Today, I'm going to relax and enjoy myself.
I am thankful for great family and friends - both for Mommy and my girls. It is something I look forward to every year.
Weekend Writing (80/366)
Friday, March 23, 2012
I don't see my husband much during the week. Between work and the kids, time just slips away.
We've grown used to our routines and they work. For us.
But on the weekends... now that's a completely different story.
I don't turn my computer on.
Therefore, I don't blog.
I could use my phone, but I don't like the Blogger app on my iPhone - it's formatted funny, and it doesn't allow me to type in landscape. Who would want to type a whole blog post with their single index finger??
Not this girl.
I do, however, take notes of those 3 days on my phone. I jot down highlights and funny things or sayings, titles of posts, whatever and whenever they come to me. So when I do finally sit down at my computer, it's all right there and I just need to put it together and post it.
Anyway, weekends are busy sometimes, but mostly they are uninterrupted time with my husband and kids.
If I'm not with the girls, he is, and I'm relaxing or taking time away for just me.
I'm not blogging.
Honestly, unless something super happens during the weekend, I may just possibly make it this whole year without blogging on a single weekend.
So, that in a nutshell is why I don't normally blog on the weekend. I hope that's okay and I appreciate your return on Mondays.
Today, I'm thankful for the 3 day break from blogging - it's not a chore for me at all. I enjoy it thoroughly. I just like to be focused 100%, with little to no distractions. I'd be cheating if I didn't do that.
But I also enjoy the break from thinking.
I don't see my husband much during the week. Between work and the kids, time just slips away.
We've grown used to our routines and they work. For us.
But on the weekends... now that's a completely different story.
I don't turn my computer on.
Therefore, I don't blog.
I could use my phone, but I don't like the Blogger app on my iPhone - it's formatted funny, and it doesn't allow me to type in landscape. Who would want to type a whole blog post with their single index finger??
Not this girl.
I do, however, take notes of those 3 days on my phone. I jot down highlights and funny things or sayings, titles of posts, whatever and whenever they come to me. So when I do finally sit down at my computer, it's all right there and I just need to put it together and post it.
Anyway, weekends are busy sometimes, but mostly they are uninterrupted time with my husband and kids.
If I'm not with the girls, he is, and I'm relaxing or taking time away for just me.
I'm not blogging.
Honestly, unless something super happens during the weekend, I may just possibly make it this whole year without blogging on a single weekend.
So, that in a nutshell is why I don't normally blog on the weekend. I hope that's okay and I appreciate your return on Mondays.
Today, I'm thankful for the 3 day break from blogging - it's not a chore for me at all. I enjoy it thoroughly. I just like to be focused 100%, with little to no distractions. I'd be cheating if I didn't do that.
But I also enjoy the break from thinking.
Almost Done (79/366)
Thursday March 22, 2012
Today marks the second to last day of my absolutely exhausting cleaning spree.
I took spring cleaning to a whole new level.
I won't bore you with all of the nitty gritty details of everything I've done, but let's just say I will have soooo much more time this spring (the real spring, not this fake one we're getting teased with right now) and summer to PLAY!!
I have had so much energy this week preparing for the girls' birthday party this weekend.
And I've needed it.
But at the end of the day,
I.
Am.
Whooped.
I have had zero gumption to write anything.
So bear with me while I collect myself and after this weekend I will be back at it.
Today, I'm thankful that I can see the finish line.
Today marks the second to last day of my absolutely exhausting cleaning spree.
I took spring cleaning to a whole new level.
I won't bore you with all of the nitty gritty details of everything I've done, but let's just say I will have soooo much more time this spring (the real spring, not this fake one we're getting teased with right now) and summer to PLAY!!
I have had so much energy this week preparing for the girls' birthday party this weekend.
And I've needed it.
But at the end of the day,
I.
Am.
Whooped.
I have had zero gumption to write anything.
So bear with me while I collect myself and after this weekend I will be back at it.
Today, I'm thankful that I can see the finish line.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
A Little Extra Oomph! (78/366)
Wednesday March 21, 2012
I really hope that's today's date. I honestly have no idea what the date is.
Today was somethin' else. Yesterday was somethin' else. Monday was the start of this "somethin' else" week.
I'm beat.
I got up extra early and got Hannah off to school. I made sure I had ample time to drink at least one pot of coffee before I began my "chores".
I wanted to get an early start - they were calling for a high of 87 degrees today.
The good thing about 87 degrees in March is that there is NO HUMIDITY.
It was PERFECT.
So I decided ahead of time that Ava could help me with my chores and skip her nap... as long as she stayed happy.
I power-washed the exposed aggregate front porch, the front door, garage doors and front walkway. Ava dug holes in my landscaping beds.
I took all of the screens out of our windows, washed them and let them dry in the sun. Ava ate 2 popsicles and watched me.
I took all of the curtains off of the windows and washed them too. Ava ate lunch.
I washed all of the girls' summer toys - all of the beach toys, the bikes, the trikes, the picnic table, anything I could find. Ava helped with this - and she had a blast.
We went to the dollar store up the road looking for cool-shaped sidwalk chalk, since hers had recently gotten run over in the driveway. They didn't have any, but we found new floaties and inflatable rings that will get a lot of use this summer.
I buried a trellis for my clematis. It's actually the ladder and support beams from an old swingset we had... I used a rubber mallot to bury it. My clematis are happy now.
That really might not sound like that much, but with a 3 year old on your shirttails, it is. I refused to let her sit inside all day. I insisted that she come out with me. We went flower hunting, we got the leaf blower out and made a big leaf pile, you name it. Multiple interruptions, but we made it super fun!
At this point, it was almost time for Hannah to get off the bus. So, I cleaned everything up and prepared to get in the shower. I started hearing this soft "BANG" (if there is such a thing) on what I thought was one of the living room windows. It sounded like a June Bug that kept flying into the glass.
Turns out it was Daddy, rapping on the front glass door trying to get Ava's attention - she was SUPER GLUED to the TV. Totally zoned out, exhausted from the day.
Well, Daddy gave us some good news - that he will be home more often for the next 3 weeks. Yay! Us girls were SO happy to hear that!
We ended the night with an awesome spaghetti dinner at my dad's house (the girls' favorite). I think my last kid was still up 20 minutes ago ~ it's one of those nights that they are finding EVERY reason in the whole wide world to get out of bed. Most are because they just want ONE more hug or kiss. It's hard to say no to that, or even get upset!
Tomorrow's to-do list is to wash the windows and trim so I can put the screens back on, iron the curtains and wash the rods, laundry, bathrooms (again), floors (again) and vacuum. It's supposed to rain, and I hope and pray that it does so I can stay inside and work all day... Plus, that cute little boy is coming back over to play for a while - he and Ava can clean the playroom (totally kidding)!
Tonight, I'm thankful for the amazing rush of energy and ambition I have had the last 3 days. It has been a long long time since I have had this much gumption, and it feels really good.
My workout will be in FULL GEAR starting Monday. It just feels right, finally.
And I'm just gonna go with it!
I really hope that's today's date. I honestly have no idea what the date is.
Today was somethin' else. Yesterday was somethin' else. Monday was the start of this "somethin' else" week.
I'm beat.
I got up extra early and got Hannah off to school. I made sure I had ample time to drink at least one pot of coffee before I began my "chores".
I wanted to get an early start - they were calling for a high of 87 degrees today.
The good thing about 87 degrees in March is that there is NO HUMIDITY.
It was PERFECT.
So I decided ahead of time that Ava could help me with my chores and skip her nap... as long as she stayed happy.
I power-washed the exposed aggregate front porch, the front door, garage doors and front walkway. Ava dug holes in my landscaping beds.
I took all of the screens out of our windows, washed them and let them dry in the sun. Ava ate 2 popsicles and watched me.
I took all of the curtains off of the windows and washed them too. Ava ate lunch.
I washed all of the girls' summer toys - all of the beach toys, the bikes, the trikes, the picnic table, anything I could find. Ava helped with this - and she had a blast.
We went to the dollar store up the road looking for cool-shaped sidwalk chalk, since hers had recently gotten run over in the driveway. They didn't have any, but we found new floaties and inflatable rings that will get a lot of use this summer.
I buried a trellis for my clematis. It's actually the ladder and support beams from an old swingset we had... I used a rubber mallot to bury it. My clematis are happy now.
That really might not sound like that much, but with a 3 year old on your shirttails, it is. I refused to let her sit inside all day. I insisted that she come out with me. We went flower hunting, we got the leaf blower out and made a big leaf pile, you name it. Multiple interruptions, but we made it super fun!
At this point, it was almost time for Hannah to get off the bus. So, I cleaned everything up and prepared to get in the shower. I started hearing this soft "BANG" (if there is such a thing) on what I thought was one of the living room windows. It sounded like a June Bug that kept flying into the glass.
Turns out it was Daddy, rapping on the front glass door trying to get Ava's attention - she was SUPER GLUED to the TV. Totally zoned out, exhausted from the day.
Well, Daddy gave us some good news - that he will be home more often for the next 3 weeks. Yay! Us girls were SO happy to hear that!
We ended the night with an awesome spaghetti dinner at my dad's house (the girls' favorite). I think my last kid was still up 20 minutes ago ~ it's one of those nights that they are finding EVERY reason in the whole wide world to get out of bed. Most are because they just want ONE more hug or kiss. It's hard to say no to that, or even get upset!
Tomorrow's to-do list is to wash the windows and trim so I can put the screens back on, iron the curtains and wash the rods, laundry, bathrooms (again), floors (again) and vacuum. It's supposed to rain, and I hope and pray that it does so I can stay inside and work all day... Plus, that cute little boy is coming back over to play for a while - he and Ava can clean the playroom (totally kidding)!
Tonight, I'm thankful for the amazing rush of energy and ambition I have had the last 3 days. It has been a long long time since I have had this much gumption, and it feels really good.
My workout will be in FULL GEAR starting Monday. It just feels right, finally.
And I'm just gonna go with it!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Everything Hurts (77/366)
Short post tonight... I'm posting from the Blogger app on my phone, which I don't like to do, but it works for tonight.
I'm sunburnt.
My arms, legs, chest and back hurt.
My toes hurt.
My eyes hurt.
I remember why we don't hang out on our deck...
Ava and I went to dance this morning. Then we sat at the body shop for over an hour waiting for an oil change.
When we finally got home, lunch made and Ava napping it was 1:00.
I finished power washing the deck.
The whole deck.
And the stairs.
And the supports.
It took me over 3 hours.
Then I hauled the heavy, HEAVY power washer down the steps, one at a time, and moved the hose and reel to the other side of the house (not an easy task with a muddy yard) and started to wash the front patio.
It's all exposed aggregate so it could use a shine up. So could the front door...
I ran out of gas.
But everything is all set up for tomorrow. I'll add the screens and windows to the to-do list too.
Another 85 degree day... What else is there to do??!!
Tonight, I'm thankful for Aloe Vera, a cool shower and my bed.
Early.
I'm sunburnt.
My arms, legs, chest and back hurt.
My toes hurt.
My eyes hurt.
I remember why we don't hang out on our deck...
Ava and I went to dance this morning. Then we sat at the body shop for over an hour waiting for an oil change.
When we finally got home, lunch made and Ava napping it was 1:00.
I finished power washing the deck.
The whole deck.
And the stairs.
And the supports.
It took me over 3 hours.
Then I hauled the heavy, HEAVY power washer down the steps, one at a time, and moved the hose and reel to the other side of the house (not an easy task with a muddy yard) and started to wash the front patio.
It's all exposed aggregate so it could use a shine up. So could the front door...
I ran out of gas.
But everything is all set up for tomorrow. I'll add the screens and windows to the to-do list too.
Another 85 degree day... What else is there to do??!!
Tonight, I'm thankful for Aloe Vera, a cool shower and my bed.
Early.
Monday, March 19, 2012
It's Been 8 Years?! (75/366)
Sunday March 18, 2012
November 3rd, 2003: We broke ground on our house that sits on a modest 6 acres.
June 12, 2004: We moved in.
March 12, 2006: Hannah joined our family.
March 2, 2009: Ava joined our family.
Where has the time gone? This June, it will be 8 years that we have lived here. I am ashamed to say we have a LOT of work to do around here. We originally built this house to flip it right away.
That didn't happen.
Luckily, we had a hand in the design and we are convinced this will be the only house we ever live in.
That's good because we love it here. Our house is simple, and comfortable.
We just re-graded the front, side and back yards last fall. We need to plant grass, and get the landscaping finished up.
We're starting to notice weather wear and tear on the house - it needs a good powerwash & scrub.
Speaking of powerwashing: today, we powerwashed the deck for the first time.
Ever.
Can you say EWWWW?
We have composite railing and a regular deckboard floor. We live on a wooded 6 acres with a natural "swamp", "swail", whatchamacallit in the backyard.
Needless to say, things have the potential to get wet (moldy) and dirty around here.
We've never owned a deck furniture set. Our yard itself is not shaded at all, and the back deck gets ALL of the hot afternoon and evening sun.
We're NEVER out there.
But since we did the yard last fall, we expanded our backyard to almost three times its original size.
We're going to start using the deck more.
Especially in the evening.
So, we powerwashed it.
It took 4 and a half hours just do to the railings.
I'm going to finish the deck floor this week.
It looks and feels brand new.
It's funny how things get away from you when you live your day-to-day. One day you wake up and your first baby turned 6, your baby baby turned 3, and your deck hasn't ever been washed.
Well, we're finally getting to those big to-do projects that everyone else seems to be able to do on an annual basis.
And it's really nice. Like I said, everything feels brand new.
Today, I'm thankful for elbow grease, amazing weather in March, and teamwork. Together we're really making things look nice, and it feels really good.
Also in June: Our 10 year wedding anniversary.
Hopefully we're done "spiffing up" the house by then, so we can relax and celebrate!
November 3rd, 2003: We broke ground on our house that sits on a modest 6 acres.
June 12, 2004: We moved in.
March 12, 2006: Hannah joined our family.
March 2, 2009: Ava joined our family.
Where has the time gone? This June, it will be 8 years that we have lived here. I am ashamed to say we have a LOT of work to do around here. We originally built this house to flip it right away.
That didn't happen.
Luckily, we had a hand in the design and we are convinced this will be the only house we ever live in.
That's good because we love it here. Our house is simple, and comfortable.
We just re-graded the front, side and back yards last fall. We need to plant grass, and get the landscaping finished up.
We're starting to notice weather wear and tear on the house - it needs a good powerwash & scrub.
Speaking of powerwashing: today, we powerwashed the deck for the first time.
Ever.
Can you say EWWWW?
We have composite railing and a regular deckboard floor. We live on a wooded 6 acres with a natural "swamp", "swail", whatchamacallit in the backyard.
Needless to say, things have the potential to get wet (moldy) and dirty around here.
We've never owned a deck furniture set. Our yard itself is not shaded at all, and the back deck gets ALL of the hot afternoon and evening sun.
We're NEVER out there.
But since we did the yard last fall, we expanded our backyard to almost three times its original size.
We're going to start using the deck more.
Especially in the evening.
So, we powerwashed it.
It took 4 and a half hours just do to the railings.
I'm going to finish the deck floor this week.
It looks and feels brand new.
It's funny how things get away from you when you live your day-to-day. One day you wake up and your first baby turned 6, your baby baby turned 3, and your deck hasn't ever been washed.
Well, we're finally getting to those big to-do projects that everyone else seems to be able to do on an annual basis.
And it's really nice. Like I said, everything feels brand new.
Today, I'm thankful for elbow grease, amazing weather in March, and teamwork. Together we're really making things look nice, and it feels really good.
Also in June: Our 10 year wedding anniversary.
Hopefully we're done "spiffing up" the house by then, so we can relax and celebrate!
Summer In March (74/366)
Saturday March 17, 2012
I hate talking about the weather.
It's the worst subject to make small talk with ~ but we all do it!
So, I'm going to just say that the past 10 days' weather has been like a DREAM.
Between 70 and 80 degrees during the day, and between 50 and 60 degrees at night.
Windows open, fans blasting.
Capris are comfortable, jeans are comfortable, shorts work... it's PERFECT.
If I could bottle this weather and save it for the months of December through February I would.
Today, I'm thankful for the summer-like weather that is blessing us with its presence in mid-March.
Next weekend we are having the girls' birthday party here at our house. The weather is still going to be warm enough to grill out and have the kids play outside.
That's good, cuz the birthday parties around here are pretty big!
Stay tuned... that day's post will be interesting I'm sure. Last year at their birthday party I actually asked someone to leave... Craziness!
I hate talking about the weather.
It's the worst subject to make small talk with ~ but we all do it!
So, I'm going to just say that the past 10 days' weather has been like a DREAM.
Between 70 and 80 degrees during the day, and between 50 and 60 degrees at night.
Windows open, fans blasting.
Capris are comfortable, jeans are comfortable, shorts work... it's PERFECT.
If I could bottle this weather and save it for the months of December through February I would.
Today, I'm thankful for the summer-like weather that is blessing us with its presence in mid-March.
Next weekend we are having the girls' birthday party here at our house. The weather is still going to be warm enough to grill out and have the kids play outside.
That's good, cuz the birthday parties around here are pretty big!
Stay tuned... that day's post will be interesting I'm sure. Last year at their birthday party I actually asked someone to leave... Craziness!
Quiet Family Night (73/366)
Friday March 16, 2012
At the close of last weekend, it was requested by my husband that I make NO plans for this weekend.
So I didn't.
We have a birthday party tomorrow night for my nephew - who turned 1 year old (Happy Birthday Levi), but other than that, we are free.
So, when he got home from work tonight, the first words out of his mouth were, "So, what are we doing tonight?"
Really? (Insert sarcasm)
I screechily reminded him that he specifically told me NOT to make any plans for this weekend.
His response? "Oh. That sounds good."
Seriously? (More sarcasm)
So, we planned a nice evening with the kids, and went to my in-law's for grilled burgers and SUMMER food!
Michigan State played tonight, and we HAD to stay up to watch that! (They won - WOOT)!
When we got home, we played two games with the kids - Go Fish and Candyland.
Because I didn't play enough Candyland as a little girl myself.
Ava won both games - really. She did.
It was a fantastic evening.
Tonight I'm thankful for NO PLANS.
We should do that more often!
At the close of last weekend, it was requested by my husband that I make NO plans for this weekend.
So I didn't.
We have a birthday party tomorrow night for my nephew - who turned 1 year old (Happy Birthday Levi), but other than that, we are free.
So, when he got home from work tonight, the first words out of his mouth were, "So, what are we doing tonight?"
Really? (Insert sarcasm)
I screechily reminded him that he specifically told me NOT to make any plans for this weekend.
His response? "Oh. That sounds good."
Seriously? (More sarcasm)
So, we planned a nice evening with the kids, and went to my in-law's for grilled burgers and SUMMER food!
Michigan State played tonight, and we HAD to stay up to watch that! (They won - WOOT)!
When we got home, we played two games with the kids - Go Fish and Candyland.
Because I didn't play enough Candyland as a little girl myself.
Ava won both games - really. She did.
It was a fantastic evening.
Tonight I'm thankful for NO PLANS.
We should do that more often!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Madness (72/366)
Thursday March 15, 2012
Today... March Madness starts! I absolutely LOVE this time of year.
Almost as much as I love the Fall.
Almost.
I love the weather. I love the basketball games. I love the brackets. (GO STATE!)
This day means only good things are coming.
Warmer weather ~ although, the last few days have been mid to upper 70's, so I can't complain.
Gardening. That's going to be fun this year.
Softball. 'Nuff said.
Hannah's baseball starts.
Dance recital in June.
Golf league starts soon - always fun times there.
Summertime - boating, bonfires, friends.
Need I go on?
There is a good feeling in the air. It's good for the mind and good for the soul.
We've been cooped up all winter, even though it was mild. It was still winter.
Now, we've got endless activities with the kids, family and friends to look forward to.
Today, I'm thankful for the NCAA. Without it, spring would never come!
Today... March Madness starts! I absolutely LOVE this time of year.
Almost as much as I love the Fall.
Almost.
I love the weather. I love the basketball games. I love the brackets. (GO STATE!)
This day means only good things are coming.
Warmer weather ~ although, the last few days have been mid to upper 70's, so I can't complain.
Gardening. That's going to be fun this year.
Softball. 'Nuff said.
Hannah's baseball starts.
Dance recital in June.
Golf league starts soon - always fun times there.
Summertime - boating, bonfires, friends.
Need I go on?
There is a good feeling in the air. It's good for the mind and good for the soul.
We've been cooped up all winter, even though it was mild. It was still winter.
Now, we've got endless activities with the kids, family and friends to look forward to.
Today, I'm thankful for the NCAA. Without it, spring would never come!
Ava's First Haircut (71/366)
Wednesday March 14, 2012
Today Ava got her first haircut. Yeah, I know. She's 3!
But she has this beautiful long, thin, blonde hair with a natural side part, and she's never needed it to be cut. But I've noticed the "V" shape in the back and decided it was time.
So, like the dentist, we've been talking about it for about a week. And, like the dentist, she told me she isn't ready.
So I told her that she could just watch Sissy and me, and then decide.
When it came her turn, she did NOT want to get up in that chair! We tried telling her that she would get a prize and a treat when she was done. I tried telling her to be brave, and likening the situation to the dentist.
Nothing worked.
I finally picked her up, sat her in the chair and our sweet, sweet hairdresser puts this little teeny cape on her - it's full of wrongly colored animals. Bright red monkeys, purple hippos - so we started talking about the animals.
It was like a switch was flipped.
She was instantly quiet, smiling and talking about the animals.
Our hairdresser even showed Ava her hot pink scissors. We tried everything we could to keep her mind off of her hair.
And it worked! Before we (and she) knew it, she was done, trimmed up, and she knew no difference.
She got to put a penny in a gumball machine and take two gumballs - which I think was the highlight for her.
On the way home, we talked about being brave and trying new things. We said that sometimes it can seem scary, but if we just try, we will find that it's not so bad.
And Mommy and sissy were right there.
Today, I am thankful for our innovative hairdresser. As my blood pressure started to go up, she took over, oh-so-naturally, and it was like magic.
I'm also incredibly thankful that Ava, Hannah and I all got haircuts in under one hour. I would love to grow my hair out, but getting a trim once every 6 months means I get all of my new growth chopped off. Tsk tsk.
Stay tuned... After the girls' dance recital in June, we're gonna go back and have our girl work her magic on Hannah, who wants to chop chop!!
Today Ava got her first haircut. Yeah, I know. She's 3!
But she has this beautiful long, thin, blonde hair with a natural side part, and she's never needed it to be cut. But I've noticed the "V" shape in the back and decided it was time.
So, like the dentist, we've been talking about it for about a week. And, like the dentist, she told me she isn't ready.
So I told her that she could just watch Sissy and me, and then decide.
When it came her turn, she did NOT want to get up in that chair! We tried telling her that she would get a prize and a treat when she was done. I tried telling her to be brave, and likening the situation to the dentist.
Nothing worked.
I finally picked her up, sat her in the chair and our sweet, sweet hairdresser puts this little teeny cape on her - it's full of wrongly colored animals. Bright red monkeys, purple hippos - so we started talking about the animals.
It was like a switch was flipped.
She was instantly quiet, smiling and talking about the animals.
Our hairdresser even showed Ava her hot pink scissors. We tried everything we could to keep her mind off of her hair.
And it worked! Before we (and she) knew it, she was done, trimmed up, and she knew no difference.
She got to put a penny in a gumball machine and take two gumballs - which I think was the highlight for her.
On the way home, we talked about being brave and trying new things. We said that sometimes it can seem scary, but if we just try, we will find that it's not so bad.
And Mommy and sissy were right there.
Today, I am thankful for our innovative hairdresser. As my blood pressure started to go up, she took over, oh-so-naturally, and it was like magic.
I'm also incredibly thankful that Ava, Hannah and I all got haircuts in under one hour. I would love to grow my hair out, but getting a trim once every 6 months means I get all of my new growth chopped off. Tsk tsk.
Stay tuned... After the girls' dance recital in June, we're gonna go back and have our girl work her magic on Hannah, who wants to chop chop!!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Cobwebs (70/366)
Tuesday March 13, 2012
Spring cleaning has commenced.
I have been dusting off the ledges, doorways and windowsills, washing drapes, and ironing them to put them back.
Washing screens, windows and walls isn't exactly my favorite thing to do, but when it's done, I feel free to do other things.
Most of the late spring and early summer I can be found either in my garden or my landscaping beds. I love getting my hands in the dirt, seeing everything cleared off and renewed.
I love seeing which flowers will bloom this year. Last fall, I planted over 250 bulbs of flowers I've never had before. We re-graded our front yard and I was given a LOT more space to plant and play.
We did a lot of work to get everything ready for this spring... and it's here.
Inside the house, this is the time of year to really do a deep, deep clean. To dust off the cobwebs of winter, open the windows and let the stagnant air out.
We have so many projects we've either started and couldn't finish until now, or those we haven't started yet.
But those wait until the inside is done.
It's nice to see how clean and new the house looks. No one that comes over on occasion would ever see the little things. But we who live here see them, and it's time they go!
Much like ourselves, sometimes we get stuck in the "winter rut". I don't know if it's weather related (S.A.D.D disorder or something), or if it's just human nature that we need sunshine and fresh, clean air to keep us feeling good. Either way, there comes a time when we need to dust off the cobwebs of the ditch we're in and pull ourselves back out. We need to get the inside cleared out before the outer layers can be touched.
Today, I'm thankful for the cobwebs that give me perspective. Without them, I'd be living in a dream. Reality is harsh sometimes, but when we're all cleaned up and shining, we find a new reality.
Spring cleaning has commenced.
I have been dusting off the ledges, doorways and windowsills, washing drapes, and ironing them to put them back.
Washing screens, windows and walls isn't exactly my favorite thing to do, but when it's done, I feel free to do other things.
Most of the late spring and early summer I can be found either in my garden or my landscaping beds. I love getting my hands in the dirt, seeing everything cleared off and renewed.
I love seeing which flowers will bloom this year. Last fall, I planted over 250 bulbs of flowers I've never had before. We re-graded our front yard and I was given a LOT more space to plant and play.
We did a lot of work to get everything ready for this spring... and it's here.
Inside the house, this is the time of year to really do a deep, deep clean. To dust off the cobwebs of winter, open the windows and let the stagnant air out.
We have so many projects we've either started and couldn't finish until now, or those we haven't started yet.
But those wait until the inside is done.
It's nice to see how clean and new the house looks. No one that comes over on occasion would ever see the little things. But we who live here see them, and it's time they go!
Much like ourselves, sometimes we get stuck in the "winter rut". I don't know if it's weather related (S.A.D.D disorder or something), or if it's just human nature that we need sunshine and fresh, clean air to keep us feeling good. Either way, there comes a time when we need to dust off the cobwebs of the ditch we're in and pull ourselves back out. We need to get the inside cleared out before the outer layers can be touched.
Today, I'm thankful for the cobwebs that give me perspective. Without them, I'd be living in a dream. Reality is harsh sometimes, but when we're all cleaned up and shining, we find a new reality.
Happy Birthday Hannah! (69/366)
Monday March 12, 2012
Happy 6th Birthday to my daughter Hannah today! In honor of her birthday, I am going to write a letter to her ~ if I could bottle the pride & joy I have in my heart for her I would...
Dear Hannah,
When your Daddy and I first met you we had no idea what was in store. You were the first shot we were given at being parents. We thought we were ready... we couldn't have been more wrong!
We weren't ready for your amazingly sweet disposition, your huge heart, brilliant smile or your smarty pants! There's no way we could prepare for the package God made you into.
Things started out a little rough (if you want to read more about that, read this), but we made it through. And on the other side of those rough nights was your smile, laughter, and sweet giggles.
As you grew, we watched you bloom into a sweet, loving toddler, and now an amazing little girl.
Sometimes I wonder if you're really only 6 years old. The things you say, the things you know ~ they're unbelievable. You continue to amaze us everyday.
I am so thankful that you are my daughter. You are an outstanding big sister, you're mindful, incredibly smart, sweet, caring and just all around a dream kid. I've always said that God knew exactly what he was doing - if I could have designed my own child, I wouldn't have come close to the design He had when He created you.
Please remember to dream. Your Daddy and I will do everything we can to help you see those dreams come true.
Remember to be yourself. You will always find someone who doesn't like you for who you are - no matter how old you are. It's a fact of life. Move on without them. They will eventually either envy you or grow to like you.
Love yourself. Be proud of yourself. Stand up for yourself.
Don't waste too much time or energy on the mean girls at school. Whether they amount to something or not, you will always be the apple of Daddy's and my eyes. When you're 30 years old, those mean girls will mean nothing to you - but the friends who stuck by you will.
Remember to pray. Pray a lot. Pray for your friends. Pray for your enemies. Remember to thank first, and ask second. You'll find that when you acknowledge the thanks, you might not feel the need to ask for so much; that God has already given you more than enough.
Always stick up for what's right. Make good choices. Think ahead a day, a month, a year. Know that the choices you make today will affect the future in some way or another.
There's so much more I could write, but I think most importantly I want to say to remember to always come back home. Your Dad, Sissy and I are your home. Wherever we are, you are always welcome. No matter how far apart we are, my arms are always open, and you will always have a safe place to land.
Today, and everyday, I am thankful for you.
Love,
Mom
Happy 6th Birthday to my daughter Hannah today! In honor of her birthday, I am going to write a letter to her ~ if I could bottle the pride & joy I have in my heart for her I would...
Dear Hannah,
When your Daddy and I first met you we had no idea what was in store. You were the first shot we were given at being parents. We thought we were ready... we couldn't have been more wrong!
We weren't ready for your amazingly sweet disposition, your huge heart, brilliant smile or your smarty pants! There's no way we could prepare for the package God made you into.
Things started out a little rough (if you want to read more about that, read this), but we made it through. And on the other side of those rough nights was your smile, laughter, and sweet giggles.
As you grew, we watched you bloom into a sweet, loving toddler, and now an amazing little girl.
Sometimes I wonder if you're really only 6 years old. The things you say, the things you know ~ they're unbelievable. You continue to amaze us everyday.
I am so thankful that you are my daughter. You are an outstanding big sister, you're mindful, incredibly smart, sweet, caring and just all around a dream kid. I've always said that God knew exactly what he was doing - if I could have designed my own child, I wouldn't have come close to the design He had when He created you.
Please remember to dream. Your Daddy and I will do everything we can to help you see those dreams come true.
Remember to be yourself. You will always find someone who doesn't like you for who you are - no matter how old you are. It's a fact of life. Move on without them. They will eventually either envy you or grow to like you.
Love yourself. Be proud of yourself. Stand up for yourself.
Don't waste too much time or energy on the mean girls at school. Whether they amount to something or not, you will always be the apple of Daddy's and my eyes. When you're 30 years old, those mean girls will mean nothing to you - but the friends who stuck by you will.
Remember to pray. Pray a lot. Pray for your friends. Pray for your enemies. Remember to thank first, and ask second. You'll find that when you acknowledge the thanks, you might not feel the need to ask for so much; that God has already given you more than enough.
Always stick up for what's right. Make good choices. Think ahead a day, a month, a year. Know that the choices you make today will affect the future in some way or another.
There's so much more I could write, but I think most importantly I want to say to remember to always come back home. Your Dad, Sissy and I are your home. Wherever we are, you are always welcome. No matter how far apart we are, my arms are always open, and you will always have a safe place to land.
Today, and everyday, I am thankful for you.
Love,
Mom
The Cleanup (68/366)
Sunday March 11, 2012
Yesterday I wrote about our friends who had a VERY rough day, putting it mildly. I won't be sharing many details here because it is not my story to tell. But I can say that today we are all praising God that no one was seriously hurt, and that things can be replaced.
And now they begin the cleanup.
After the initial shock, once everything settles and the adrenaline stops, reality hits.
My heart still aches for our friends. The road ahead is long and uncertain.
Matt and I stopped over today to see if there was anything we could do in the aftermath of everything. Of course, there wasn't much.
Sometimes when tragedy strikes, we wonder which way is up. We don't know night from day, or what hour it is.
The way up is, well, up. Look to the heavens and pray. Give thanks in our hour of need. This seems an impossible task, but God never gives us more than we can handle. And if we weren't meant to make it through, He would take us home.
I've found that giving thanks when I feel I have nothing but complaints to bring to Him is healing in itself. It's like praying for our enemies. Why would we do that?
How can you stay in un-forgiveness if you're praying for a person? If your heart is truly praying for blessing and softening of your enemy's heart, your heart will start to change too.
Matt and I are continuing to pray for all of our friends involved in this weekend's events. There is much to be done to pick up the pieces, all the while life is continuing on at an ever quickening pace.
Today I am thankful for the power of prayer. I know it can be felt, and I know it heals.
Yesterday I wrote about our friends who had a VERY rough day, putting it mildly. I won't be sharing many details here because it is not my story to tell. But I can say that today we are all praising God that no one was seriously hurt, and that things can be replaced.
And now they begin the cleanup.
After the initial shock, once everything settles and the adrenaline stops, reality hits.
My heart still aches for our friends. The road ahead is long and uncertain.
Matt and I stopped over today to see if there was anything we could do in the aftermath of everything. Of course, there wasn't much.
Sometimes when tragedy strikes, we wonder which way is up. We don't know night from day, or what hour it is.
The way up is, well, up. Look to the heavens and pray. Give thanks in our hour of need. This seems an impossible task, but God never gives us more than we can handle. And if we weren't meant to make it through, He would take us home.
I've found that giving thanks when I feel I have nothing but complaints to bring to Him is healing in itself. It's like praying for our enemies. Why would we do that?
How can you stay in un-forgiveness if you're praying for a person? If your heart is truly praying for blessing and softening of your enemy's heart, your heart will start to change too.
Matt and I are continuing to pray for all of our friends involved in this weekend's events. There is much to be done to pick up the pieces, all the while life is continuing on at an ever quickening pace.
Today I am thankful for the power of prayer. I know it can be felt, and I know it heals.
Close Call (67/366)
Saturday March 10, 2012
This evening we got a shocking phone call from our friends who had a very close call with disaster... or worse.
They are now faced with rebuilding their home and everyday lives. SO MANY people have reached out and offered a hand, donations, a place to stay. I'm sure they are just completely overwhelmed.
I think it's in our nature to do this, and not think twice about offering our home, our kids' clothes, food, money, or anything else when a friend or loved one experiences a tragedy.
I am one of the first people to admit that while I think there are many good people in the world, there are an equal amount, if not more, of the bad ones. At least, they're the ones that seem to get all of the attention, so it seems a little uneven.
To the contrary, tonight I'm sure in this little corner of the Earth, the good WAY outweighs the bad and it is as it should be.
My husband and I are still reeling from what has happened - it's unbelievable to imagine that just one second earlier or later, or one inch this way instead of that, the scenario would have been drastically (devastatingly) different.
I look at my house and our things differently. I look at my husband and kids differently. I am looking at the people around me differently.
Situations like this help us to forget the small things that we get caught up in everyday. They make us really appreciate the people we have in our lives - and they make us think of the people we don't have anymore.
It helps us to be a little more carefree, cherishing what's really important.
Tonight, I am thankful for my family, my friends and the thought that if something like this happened to us, when I look around I know that we would be well taken care of. And when it happens to our friends or family, we know that they are well taken care of.
And nothing else is more important.
This evening we got a shocking phone call from our friends who had a very close call with disaster... or worse.
They are now faced with rebuilding their home and everyday lives. SO MANY people have reached out and offered a hand, donations, a place to stay. I'm sure they are just completely overwhelmed.
I think it's in our nature to do this, and not think twice about offering our home, our kids' clothes, food, money, or anything else when a friend or loved one experiences a tragedy.
I am one of the first people to admit that while I think there are many good people in the world, there are an equal amount, if not more, of the bad ones. At least, they're the ones that seem to get all of the attention, so it seems a little uneven.
To the contrary, tonight I'm sure in this little corner of the Earth, the good WAY outweighs the bad and it is as it should be.
My husband and I are still reeling from what has happened - it's unbelievable to imagine that just one second earlier or later, or one inch this way instead of that, the scenario would have been drastically (devastatingly) different.
I look at my house and our things differently. I look at my husband and kids differently. I am looking at the people around me differently.
Situations like this help us to forget the small things that we get caught up in everyday. They make us really appreciate the people we have in our lives - and they make us think of the people we don't have anymore.
It helps us to be a little more carefree, cherishing what's really important.
Tonight, I am thankful for my family, my friends and the thought that if something like this happened to us, when I look around I know that we would be well taken care of. And when it happens to our friends or family, we know that they are well taken care of.
And nothing else is more important.
Just One (66/366)
Friday March 9, 2012
When you have 2 (or more) kids, you kinda forget what it was ever like to have just one.
Every now and again, you get a chance to just have just one.
Tonight, Hannah went next door to our neighbor's house to play with the boys, so it was just Ava, Matt and me.
For like, 3 hours.
It's amazing how different my second-born is when her older sibling isn't around. She's never known what it's like to live as an only child, as Hannah did.
And. She. Loves. Every. Second. Of. It.
She is such a different kid! She is never whiny, SUPER funny (can't emphasize that one enough), well behaved, and just over-all pleasant.
Let me clarify that she is all of these things when her sister is around, but when she is the "just one", Ava is all of these things to the nth degree.
We played Candy Land.
We played Trouble.
We played Go Fish (about 10 times).
We had a dance party.
We made popcorn.
And you can't have popcorn without chocolate, so we had some of that too.
Never a bad second - the whole 3 hours.
When Hannah got home, it was late. The girls very obediently put on their jammies, brushed their teeth and went right to bed.
The perfect evening.
Tonight, I am thankful for the memories of "just one". No tug of war, just bliss.
But I'm more thankful that we had our "plus one" - I couldn't imagine my life without her.
When you have 2 (or more) kids, you kinda forget what it was ever like to have just one.
Every now and again, you get a chance to just have just one.
Tonight, Hannah went next door to our neighbor's house to play with the boys, so it was just Ava, Matt and me.
For like, 3 hours.
It's amazing how different my second-born is when her older sibling isn't around. She's never known what it's like to live as an only child, as Hannah did.
And. She. Loves. Every. Second. Of. It.
She is such a different kid! She is never whiny, SUPER funny (can't emphasize that one enough), well behaved, and just over-all pleasant.
Let me clarify that she is all of these things when her sister is around, but when she is the "just one", Ava is all of these things to the nth degree.
We played Candy Land.
We played Trouble.
We played Go Fish (about 10 times).
We had a dance party.
We made popcorn.
And you can't have popcorn without chocolate, so we had some of that too.
Never a bad second - the whole 3 hours.
When Hannah got home, it was late. The girls very obediently put on their jammies, brushed their teeth and went right to bed.
The perfect evening.
Tonight, I am thankful for the memories of "just one". No tug of war, just bliss.
But I'm more thankful that we had our "plus one" - I couldn't imagine my life without her.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Lotion Heals Everything (65/366)
Thursday March 8, 2012
Have you ever seen the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding? It's hilarious - if you haven't seen it you should.
In the movie, the lead actress' father believes that Windex heals everything.
I mean everything.
The morning of their wedding, both the bride and the groom wake up with zits on their faces. When the groom notices his bride's zit, he says that he woke up with one that morning too. When she asked him where it was, he said it was gone. He had put Windex on it the night before! (He originally thought his soon-to-be father in law was nuts)!
This reminds me of Ava - she thinks that Gold Bond lotion can heal anything.
Tonight, her big sister accidentally hit her in the upper lip with the head of a Cabbage Patch Doll. It left a mark that looks similar to a mosquito bite. No blood or anything. And no tears - just sweet little watery eyes.
But she didn't want an ice pack. She wanted some lotion. At first, I thought she wanted some of her Bath & Body Works lotion to put on before bed. When I brought her some, she told me she wanted the white lotion.
So, I brought in our honkin' huge bottle of Gold Bond and sure enough, she put some on her finger and started rubbing her boo boo!
As I tucked her in, she says, "Ahhh! That feels betta Mama"!
I'm trying not to laugh as I kiss her little forehead goodnight. The sweet things they say and think...
Tonight I'm thankful for the miracle of lotion - it can cure any ailment, according to my 3 year old!
Have you ever seen the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding? It's hilarious - if you haven't seen it you should.
In the movie, the lead actress' father believes that Windex heals everything.
I mean everything.
The morning of their wedding, both the bride and the groom wake up with zits on their faces. When the groom notices his bride's zit, he says that he woke up with one that morning too. When she asked him where it was, he said it was gone. He had put Windex on it the night before! (He originally thought his soon-to-be father in law was nuts)!
This reminds me of Ava - she thinks that Gold Bond lotion can heal anything.
Tonight, her big sister accidentally hit her in the upper lip with the head of a Cabbage Patch Doll. It left a mark that looks similar to a mosquito bite. No blood or anything. And no tears - just sweet little watery eyes.
But she didn't want an ice pack. She wanted some lotion. At first, I thought she wanted some of her Bath & Body Works lotion to put on before bed. When I brought her some, she told me she wanted the white lotion.
So, I brought in our honkin' huge bottle of Gold Bond and sure enough, she put some on her finger and started rubbing her boo boo!
As I tucked her in, she says, "Ahhh! That feels betta Mama"!
I'm trying not to laugh as I kiss her little forehead goodnight. The sweet things they say and think...
Tonight I'm thankful for the miracle of lotion - it can cure any ailment, according to my 3 year old!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
If I Never Have Another Evening Like This One... (64/366)
Wednesday March 7, 2012
...it will be too soon.
Let me start off by saying that the last two days have been crazy for me! NOT my normal routine - at all.
My husband has been home sick, in bed, for 2 days. He left for work Monday morning and made his way out the door by stopping at each bathroom on the way to vomit. I later found out that it wasn't the stomach flu, but he was gagging on mucous... ew.
He finally made it to the doctor this morning and was diagnosed with bronchitis and severe sinus infection.
Yesterday, I made homemade chicken noodle soup. It's what we do in our family. When someone is sick, someone else makes soup. It is medication in itself. I spent hours on my feet cutting up fresh, organic vegetables. I made the broth when I cooked the chicken. Then it simmered on the stove for about 3 hours before I added the whole grain noodles. It was phenominal, for a chicken soup anyway. My husband was famished and had spent every available moment sleeping. So, he was very grateful!
Today was a little better for him. He actually showered before he went to the doctor, and sat up for a bit when he got home and talked to Ava and me.
I spent today making food for him, playing with Ava (she knew her Daddy was sick in the other room and was sad that she couldn't snuggle with him), cleaning up, doing laundry and disinfecting.
When Ava went down for her nap, so did I. I slept so hard - you know when you dream and it feels so real that you can't tell if you're actually dreaming? You wake to find yourself doing in person things that you were doing in your dream... hard to explain, but I slept HARD.
Hannah got home from school, dropped her backpack and started crying. She said her ear hurt. It was 4:20 in the afternoon. Hannah doesn't complain, so when she says she doesn't feel good, it's usually a doctor visit. I knew the doctor's office was closed at this time of day and closed tomorrow, but I know the direct backline number... I have been with my doctor for 16 years, and my family has followed me there. We don't ever abuse this privilege. So I called and asked if they could stay late to see Hannah this afternoon. They called me back at 5:00 and told me to leave right then and he would see her.
So, I asked Matt if he felt up to keeping Ava here. He said he would try and that he could come out to the couch and watch a movie with her or something. She didn't want anything to do with that! She wanted to go to the doctor with Mommy & Sissy.
The three of us got to the doctor and were in & out out by 6:30. Hannah has an ear infection and severe allergy sinusitis. We walked down to the pharmacy (in the same building), where we were told there was a 30 minute wait for scripts, and they close at 7:00. I fired back with, "Ok, we'll be here waiting until they're ready." Meaning - I'm not leaving here without my scripts pal...
And wait we did. Paitent after patient, their "new" computer system failed them. People's insurance wasn't going through, their names weren't right, the pharmacy didn't have the script or it was never called in, you name it! Those people left disappointed and without their scripts.
At 7:15, they finally started asking me questions about my insurance, and the spelling of my last name. Then they started filling her scripts. By 7:45 (and mind you, they close at 7:00, they were not waiting on any other customers at this point, and hadn't been since about 6:50), I went to the counter and asked if I could just pay retail for my scripts and send the claim to my insurance myself. I was told that they were almost finished, but they weren't even filled yet!
Meanwhile, the girls are beyond starving, they're tired, Hannah doesn't feel good, Ava is restless, they're arguing over my iPhone (which almost has a dead battery), I forgot their iPod touches, they're running around the pharmacy/gift shop playing with the toys, I'm falling asleep in the chair - it was a trainwreck! My anxiety is going through the roof, I'm doing my breathing exercises (yes, I do those, and yes, they help).
Then one of the girls had to go to the bathroom.
As soon as we returned, the other had to go poop.
I was maxed out.
We got out of there at 8:00. I took the girls to McDonald's (tsk, tsk) and we sped home. I kept thinking of all the things we needed to do when we got home - jammies, brush teeth, school clothes, dance clothes, blah, blah, blah!
I walked in the door at 8:20 and Matt took one look at me... gave me a hug and asked what he could do to help. They were in bed by 8:35.
Today, even though I can't really feel it right now, I am thankful for being needed. My family has needed me more than ever these last few days, and I. AM. EXHAUSTED. But you just keep going! And going... and going... I would feel so lonely and unloved if I weren't ever needed. It's a great thing to feel needed, and know that you are needed.
I'm hoping things settle down soon - I like it quiet, I like a routine, and I like for my family to be healthy!! But this is life! This is the life of a mom! I look at some of my friends who have 2 or 3 times more kids than I do - they stay at home, homeschool, carpool, playdates, you name it! I don't envy them - I learn from them, I love them! My life is so totally different - and perfect just for me. Like I've said before, I believe God gave me this life because he knows it's just enough, and when the pressure is on and things get crazy, He equips me with the equivalent of super-human powers. There's really no other explaination for it, because on a normal day, I never imagined I could make it through an evening like tonight.
You just... do.
Praise God for tonight! Without Him, I couldn't have done it alone.
...it will be too soon.
Let me start off by saying that the last two days have been crazy for me! NOT my normal routine - at all.
My husband has been home sick, in bed, for 2 days. He left for work Monday morning and made his way out the door by stopping at each bathroom on the way to vomit. I later found out that it wasn't the stomach flu, but he was gagging on mucous... ew.
He finally made it to the doctor this morning and was diagnosed with bronchitis and severe sinus infection.
Yesterday, I made homemade chicken noodle soup. It's what we do in our family. When someone is sick, someone else makes soup. It is medication in itself. I spent hours on my feet cutting up fresh, organic vegetables. I made the broth when I cooked the chicken. Then it simmered on the stove for about 3 hours before I added the whole grain noodles. It was phenominal, for a chicken soup anyway. My husband was famished and had spent every available moment sleeping. So, he was very grateful!
Today was a little better for him. He actually showered before he went to the doctor, and sat up for a bit when he got home and talked to Ava and me.
I spent today making food for him, playing with Ava (she knew her Daddy was sick in the other room and was sad that she couldn't snuggle with him), cleaning up, doing laundry and disinfecting.
When Ava went down for her nap, so did I. I slept so hard - you know when you dream and it feels so real that you can't tell if you're actually dreaming? You wake to find yourself doing in person things that you were doing in your dream... hard to explain, but I slept HARD.
Hannah got home from school, dropped her backpack and started crying. She said her ear hurt. It was 4:20 in the afternoon. Hannah doesn't complain, so when she says she doesn't feel good, it's usually a doctor visit. I knew the doctor's office was closed at this time of day and closed tomorrow, but I know the direct backline number... I have been with my doctor for 16 years, and my family has followed me there. We don't ever abuse this privilege. So I called and asked if they could stay late to see Hannah this afternoon. They called me back at 5:00 and told me to leave right then and he would see her.
So, I asked Matt if he felt up to keeping Ava here. He said he would try and that he could come out to the couch and watch a movie with her or something. She didn't want anything to do with that! She wanted to go to the doctor with Mommy & Sissy.
The three of us got to the doctor and were in & out out by 6:30. Hannah has an ear infection and severe allergy sinusitis. We walked down to the pharmacy (in the same building), where we were told there was a 30 minute wait for scripts, and they close at 7:00. I fired back with, "Ok, we'll be here waiting until they're ready." Meaning - I'm not leaving here without my scripts pal...
And wait we did. Paitent after patient, their "new" computer system failed them. People's insurance wasn't going through, their names weren't right, the pharmacy didn't have the script or it was never called in, you name it! Those people left disappointed and without their scripts.
At 7:15, they finally started asking me questions about my insurance, and the spelling of my last name. Then they started filling her scripts. By 7:45 (and mind you, they close at 7:00, they were not waiting on any other customers at this point, and hadn't been since about 6:50), I went to the counter and asked if I could just pay retail for my scripts and send the claim to my insurance myself. I was told that they were almost finished, but they weren't even filled yet!
Meanwhile, the girls are beyond starving, they're tired, Hannah doesn't feel good, Ava is restless, they're arguing over my iPhone (which almost has a dead battery), I forgot their iPod touches, they're running around the pharmacy/gift shop playing with the toys, I'm falling asleep in the chair - it was a trainwreck! My anxiety is going through the roof, I'm doing my breathing exercises (yes, I do those, and yes, they help).
Then one of the girls had to go to the bathroom.
As soon as we returned, the other had to go poop.
I was maxed out.
We got out of there at 8:00. I took the girls to McDonald's (tsk, tsk) and we sped home. I kept thinking of all the things we needed to do when we got home - jammies, brush teeth, school clothes, dance clothes, blah, blah, blah!
I walked in the door at 8:20 and Matt took one look at me... gave me a hug and asked what he could do to help. They were in bed by 8:35.
Today, even though I can't really feel it right now, I am thankful for being needed. My family has needed me more than ever these last few days, and I. AM. EXHAUSTED. But you just keep going! And going... and going... I would feel so lonely and unloved if I weren't ever needed. It's a great thing to feel needed, and know that you are needed.
I'm hoping things settle down soon - I like it quiet, I like a routine, and I like for my family to be healthy!! But this is life! This is the life of a mom! I look at some of my friends who have 2 or 3 times more kids than I do - they stay at home, homeschool, carpool, playdates, you name it! I don't envy them - I learn from them, I love them! My life is so totally different - and perfect just for me. Like I've said before, I believe God gave me this life because he knows it's just enough, and when the pressure is on and things get crazy, He equips me with the equivalent of super-human powers. There's really no other explaination for it, because on a normal day, I never imagined I could make it through an evening like tonight.
You just... do.
Praise God for tonight! Without Him, I couldn't have done it alone.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Ava's First Trip To The Dentist (63/366)
Tuesday March 6, 2012
The theme in our house lately is teeth! What timing was it that Hannah pulled out her first tooth just 4 days before our scheduled 6-month checkup?
She finally found her "tooth pillow". It's a little pillow that her Grams bought for her at a craft show. On the front of the "pillow" (think Barbie Doll size) is a small pocket big enough for a tooth, and in exchange, dollar bills folded in half twice.
When she realized that there was $5 in it, she came running out of her bedroom and wrapped her little arms around my waist and said, "You're the BEST, Mommy!"
I told her to keep her money safe and save it for a special something that her heart desires.
So, today the three of us went to the dentist. It was Ava's first trip.
We've been talking about it for weeks. I've told her that the dentist will tickle her teeth, that it doesn't hurt. I told her when we're brave at the dentist, we get a new Princess toothbrush, our very own toothpaste and a toy from the treasure chest. She seemed ok to go one minute, and scared again the next.
As of last night, she said she's "not ready" to go. She is too scared.
So I told her that we would tell the dentist that he could just look. And I meant it. If she's not ready, she's not ready. She's only 3, she has her baby teeth, we brush twice a day and she loves to floss. What need could there be great enough for me to turn this into a frightening battle? None.
So when we get to the dentist, they call me back first, obviously because I will take the longest. The girls came with me and were waiting patiently when they called Hannah over to the room right next to mine. Ava followed.
At first I heard a lot of resistance from Ava - she was even afraid of what they were doing to Hannah! Hannah got films done, a full cleaning and tooth count (Yup, still one down).
This in turn made my blood pressure go through the roof! I'm sitting in my chair, getting polished, and I can hear every whine and whimper coming from my baby. I can't talk, I can't get up. I just had to trust that the technician over there had experience with kids and knew what to do so as not to disturb the rest of the office too!
And she did.
And then some.
She was a miracle worker.
And so was Hannah.
I could hear Hannah most of all.
"It's ok, sweetie. I'm right here. It's going to be okay, just hold my hand", in her sweet motherly voice.
It went on.
"You can come and sit with me in the chair, Ava, and watch. It doesn't hurt. It's fun!"
"It's okay, sweetie. It will be okay. The dentist is very funny. And if you're brave he will do a magic trick for you!"
I'm laying there, mouth hanging wide open, and my eyes start to water. My technician sees a tear drop roll down my cheek into my ear. As she reaches for a Kleenex to wipe it up for me she says, "That is the darn sweetest thing I think I have ever heard. You are raising some amazing little girls to have Hannah look after her sister like that."
I smiled with dental instruments in my mouth and was completely overwhelmed with pride and joy.
Ava made it through the exam which consisted of counting teeth and saying "AH!" and "Cheese!" for the dentist. She had no fear.
For the rest of the day, she told everyone who was on the phone or at our house that she was brave today for the dentist! She was so proud of herself! She can't wait to go back...
Today I am thankful for my daughter Hannah's sweet disposition (this is the real Hannah, NOT the one that tells her mother that "Your legs don't look broken, why don't you put it there yourself"). The way she calmed her baby sister, and was a true example of a sister and best friend just about made my heart burst.
I am also thankful for my daughter Ava. She's my fearless one. Well, almost. It's nice to know that she is a little timid about some things and she can rely on her family to help her through those times and to try something new.
One. Proud. Mama.
The theme in our house lately is teeth! What timing was it that Hannah pulled out her first tooth just 4 days before our scheduled 6-month checkup?
She finally found her "tooth pillow". It's a little pillow that her Grams bought for her at a craft show. On the front of the "pillow" (think Barbie Doll size) is a small pocket big enough for a tooth, and in exchange, dollar bills folded in half twice.
When she realized that there was $5 in it, she came running out of her bedroom and wrapped her little arms around my waist and said, "You're the BEST, Mommy!"
I told her to keep her money safe and save it for a special something that her heart desires.
So, today the three of us went to the dentist. It was Ava's first trip.
We've been talking about it for weeks. I've told her that the dentist will tickle her teeth, that it doesn't hurt. I told her when we're brave at the dentist, we get a new Princess toothbrush, our very own toothpaste and a toy from the treasure chest. She seemed ok to go one minute, and scared again the next.
As of last night, she said she's "not ready" to go. She is too scared.
So I told her that we would tell the dentist that he could just look. And I meant it. If she's not ready, she's not ready. She's only 3, she has her baby teeth, we brush twice a day and she loves to floss. What need could there be great enough for me to turn this into a frightening battle? None.
So when we get to the dentist, they call me back first, obviously because I will take the longest. The girls came with me and were waiting patiently when they called Hannah over to the room right next to mine. Ava followed.
At first I heard a lot of resistance from Ava - she was even afraid of what they were doing to Hannah! Hannah got films done, a full cleaning and tooth count (Yup, still one down).
This in turn made my blood pressure go through the roof! I'm sitting in my chair, getting polished, and I can hear every whine and whimper coming from my baby. I can't talk, I can't get up. I just had to trust that the technician over there had experience with kids and knew what to do so as not to disturb the rest of the office too!
And she did.
And then some.
She was a miracle worker.
And so was Hannah.
I could hear Hannah most of all.
"It's ok, sweetie. I'm right here. It's going to be okay, just hold my hand", in her sweet motherly voice.
It went on.
"You can come and sit with me in the chair, Ava, and watch. It doesn't hurt. It's fun!"
"It's okay, sweetie. It will be okay. The dentist is very funny. And if you're brave he will do a magic trick for you!"
I'm laying there, mouth hanging wide open, and my eyes start to water. My technician sees a tear drop roll down my cheek into my ear. As she reaches for a Kleenex to wipe it up for me she says, "That is the darn sweetest thing I think I have ever heard. You are raising some amazing little girls to have Hannah look after her sister like that."
I smiled with dental instruments in my mouth and was completely overwhelmed with pride and joy.
Ava made it through the exam which consisted of counting teeth and saying "AH!" and "Cheese!" for the dentist. She had no fear.
For the rest of the day, she told everyone who was on the phone or at our house that she was brave today for the dentist! She was so proud of herself! She can't wait to go back...
Today I am thankful for my daughter Hannah's sweet disposition (this is the real Hannah, NOT the one that tells her mother that "Your legs don't look broken, why don't you put it there yourself"). The way she calmed her baby sister, and was a true example of a sister and best friend just about made my heart burst.
I am also thankful for my daughter Ava. She's my fearless one. Well, almost. It's nice to know that she is a little timid about some things and she can rely on her family to help her through those times and to try something new.
One. Proud. Mama.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Toothfairy, WHAT? (62/366)
Monday March 5, 2012
Hannah lost her tooth 3 days ago... she still hasn't collected her money under her pillow. She has completely forgotten that it's there.
I am debating on whether or not to tell her that she forgot, or see how long she goes until she finally remembers.
That's cold hard cash there.
When I was little, I could barely stand the anticipation waiting to see what I got for my tooth.
It was like a mini-Christmas morning. Super mini, but exciting nonetheless.
She hasn't mentioned it, hasn't asked about it and she hasn't come out to show me what she got (even though obviously I already know).
We decided that the very first tooth for each of our daughters will be worth $5. Each tooth after that will be worth only $1.
The first one is so special!
Or, at least it is to the rest of the family.
Maybe the excitement has worn off for her? Maybe she doesn't feel well (she seems fine).
We will see what transpires this evening as she's getting into bed and it just happens to fall out from under her pillow when I lean over to give her a big bear hug as I do every night.
I am thankful for "forgotten surprises". You know the kind that you know are going to happen, but you kinda get preoccupied and "forget"? It's like you never knew in the first place when they're revealed.
Hannah lost her tooth 3 days ago... she still hasn't collected her money under her pillow. She has completely forgotten that it's there.
I am debating on whether or not to tell her that she forgot, or see how long she goes until she finally remembers.
That's cold hard cash there.
When I was little, I could barely stand the anticipation waiting to see what I got for my tooth.
It was like a mini-Christmas morning. Super mini, but exciting nonetheless.
She hasn't mentioned it, hasn't asked about it and she hasn't come out to show me what she got (even though obviously I already know).
We decided that the very first tooth for each of our daughters will be worth $5. Each tooth after that will be worth only $1.
The first one is so special!
Or, at least it is to the rest of the family.
Maybe the excitement has worn off for her? Maybe she doesn't feel well (she seems fine).
We will see what transpires this evening as she's getting into bed and it just happens to fall out from under her pillow when I lean over to give her a big bear hug as I do every night.
I am thankful for "forgotten surprises". You know the kind that you know are going to happen, but you kinda get preoccupied and "forget"? It's like you never knew in the first place when they're revealed.
Doctor, Doctor! (61/366)
Sunday March 4, 2012
It is Monday morning as I write the top and bottom portions of this post. I wrote the body on my phone and I don't like to publish from the Blogger app , so I'm just going to write it now and publish later.
Here's yesterday's post...
**********************************************************************************************************
Today my husband seems off.
Just, off.
He's slightly grumpy, for seemingly no reason.
I hate days like this. We all have them, though.
So, I'm just giving him his space.
I don't think he feels well.
You know when guys get sick? It's like having a newborn again.
In the very least, it's like having another kid in the house.
And what is it with guys not wanting to go to the doctor? I'm not criticizing, just asking.
When Hannah gets sick, it can usually run its course. She had every disease as a baby that required an antibiotic. Now, as a child, she gets a cold once or maybe twice a year. It runs its course and she's good to go.
When Ava and I get sick, it goes straight to our lungs. We end up on the nebulizer, antibiotics, prednisone, the whole 9 yards. When we get "the sniffle", we're at the doctor's doorstep.
So, when I think my husband is getting sick, I know he won't go to the doctor, and I know he won't take a sick day off of work. If he doesn't work, he doesn't get paid. It's as simple as that. He would rather put in his 8 or 9 hours that day and go to bed at 4:30 in the afternoon than take time off of work for being sick.
When I know he's sick, I usually make chicken noodle soup from scratch. There's nothing like a hot bowl of homemade chicken soup to soothe a nasty cold or the flu.
So, today I am thankful for my health. I'm thankful that I'm well enough to take care of my family when they're sick. It's no fun for anyone, but at least we have each other to help us through. No one likes being sick, whether you have to work through it, or you're able to stay home and rest all day. It feels good to be needed, and to see the result when they're healthy again.
**********************************************************************************************************
Monday afternoon update: HE SICK. This morning as he got up to go to work, he went bathroom to bathroom getting sick to his stomach. When I spoke with him this afternoon after work, he said he felt like he was dying and he was concerned that maybe he should go to the hospital.
It's bad enough that he said if he doesn't feel better before work tomorrow, he's staying home. THAT'S BAD. I'm worried about him, but have the ingredients for chicken soup ready to go.
I'm also got the disinfectants on hand, and will follow him through the house cleaning as he goes.
Please pray for healing for my husband. I feel really badly when he is sick like this, and it doesn't happen often. But if he's worried, so am I because he's the toughest man I know.
It is Monday morning as I write the top and bottom portions of this post. I wrote the body on my phone and I don't like to publish from the Blogger app , so I'm just going to write it now and publish later.
Here's yesterday's post...
**********************************************************************************************************
Today my husband seems off.
Just, off.
He's slightly grumpy, for seemingly no reason.
I hate days like this. We all have them, though.
So, I'm just giving him his space.
I don't think he feels well.
You know when guys get sick? It's like having a newborn again.
In the very least, it's like having another kid in the house.
And what is it with guys not wanting to go to the doctor? I'm not criticizing, just asking.
When Hannah gets sick, it can usually run its course. She had every disease as a baby that required an antibiotic. Now, as a child, she gets a cold once or maybe twice a year. It runs its course and she's good to go.
When Ava and I get sick, it goes straight to our lungs. We end up on the nebulizer, antibiotics, prednisone, the whole 9 yards. When we get "the sniffle", we're at the doctor's doorstep.
So, when I think my husband is getting sick, I know he won't go to the doctor, and I know he won't take a sick day off of work. If he doesn't work, he doesn't get paid. It's as simple as that. He would rather put in his 8 or 9 hours that day and go to bed at 4:30 in the afternoon than take time off of work for being sick.
When I know he's sick, I usually make chicken noodle soup from scratch. There's nothing like a hot bowl of homemade chicken soup to soothe a nasty cold or the flu.
So, today I am thankful for my health. I'm thankful that I'm well enough to take care of my family when they're sick. It's no fun for anyone, but at least we have each other to help us through. No one likes being sick, whether you have to work through it, or you're able to stay home and rest all day. It feels good to be needed, and to see the result when they're healthy again.
**********************************************************************************************************
Monday afternoon update: HE SICK. This morning as he got up to go to work, he went bathroom to bathroom getting sick to his stomach. When I spoke with him this afternoon after work, he said he felt like he was dying and he was concerned that maybe he should go to the hospital.
It's bad enough that he said if he doesn't feel better before work tomorrow, he's staying home. THAT'S BAD. I'm worried about him, but have the ingredients for chicken soup ready to go.
I'm also got the disinfectants on hand, and will follow him through the house cleaning as he goes.
Please pray for healing for my husband. I feel really badly when he is sick like this, and it doesn't happen often. But if he's worried, so am I because he's the toughest man I know.
The Case Of The Missing Treadmill Key (60/366)
Saturday March 3, 2012
Yesterday was my baby Ava's birthday.
It was just slightly overshadowed by her older sister losing her first tooth.
It was also briefly overshadowed by the sudden realization that I could not find my treadmill key.
Anywhere.
I knew I had taken it out and put it somewhere (I would have bet money that I put it in the junk drawer in the kitchen), so the girls or their friends wouldn't play on it while they were in the basement.
As Ava and I were starting her big day, we saw Sissy get on the bus and I asked Ava what she wanted to do for her birthday.
She wanted to clean toilets.
She didn't want to play any games. She didn't want to go anywhere.
She wanted to clean toilets.
The kid loves to help me clean!
I was going to clean later in the day while she was taking a birthday nap, but since she wanted to help, I thought that would be just fine. After all, when I went in to wake up her sister for school, she sat straight up in bed, wide eyed, greeted me with a huge grin and said, "Today is my boofday Mama!"
So, she was cleaning one of the toilets (very carefully, with cleaning gloves), and I was in the kitchen cleaning up. I thought I would get in the junk drawer and pull my treadmill key out so that I could put it back downstairs by the treadmill. I figured it was safe since the girls weren't going to be down there for the next few days and their friends had gone home.
It wasn't in the drawer.
It wasn't on the key rack.
I ended up removing the drawer from its track and placing it on the kitchen counter. I emptied it, organized it, and still no key.
I went through my dresser drawers. I cleaned those out, organized them. No key.
I went through my closet. Cleaned it out, got a Goodwill pile ready, washed it down, was up on a chair looking in the high places. No key.
I went through every nook and cranny, cleaning as I went, every closet, every drawer I could think of. No key.
So, I thought I would go downstairs and look on the treadmill to see if maybe I hadn't actually removed it.
I looked in the side pocket where I normally place the key when I'm finished. No key. All of my iFit cards were in there, but no key.
So, I went back upstairs, and looked in every nook, cranny, closet, drawer and storage bin I could think of. No key.
I resigned to the fact that I was going to have to call NordicTrack and request a new key.
I went back downstairs, got ON the treadmill. I was looking for the serial number of my treadmill so I had all of the information ready for them when I called the next morning. I looked up, looked down, looked right (where the key normally is), looked left in the other pocket that normally holds my water bottle.
THERE IT WAS. THE KEY.
It had been there the whole time. The first time I checked the treadmill, I had only checked the right side pocket. I didn't even think to lean over another foot to check the left side. I NEVER PUT IT THERE!!
So, there it was, in plain sight. Obviously I don't need to hide it from my kids... because I do a great job hiding it from myself.
How frustrating! And exhausting!
So, Ava and I finished up the bathrooms together and I quit cleaning! I was DONE for the day!
Today I am thankful for my little peanut that loves to help me clean! I am thankful that she was patient enough to let me scour this house from top to bottom in a panic looking for my beloved treadmill key.
I am also thankful for my working treadmill. I needed to run off some anxiety after that!!
Yesterday was my baby Ava's birthday.
It was just slightly overshadowed by her older sister losing her first tooth.
It was also briefly overshadowed by the sudden realization that I could not find my treadmill key.
Anywhere.
I knew I had taken it out and put it somewhere (I would have bet money that I put it in the junk drawer in the kitchen), so the girls or their friends wouldn't play on it while they were in the basement.
As Ava and I were starting her big day, we saw Sissy get on the bus and I asked Ava what she wanted to do for her birthday.
She wanted to clean toilets.
She didn't want to play any games. She didn't want to go anywhere.
She wanted to clean toilets.
The kid loves to help me clean!
I was going to clean later in the day while she was taking a birthday nap, but since she wanted to help, I thought that would be just fine. After all, when I went in to wake up her sister for school, she sat straight up in bed, wide eyed, greeted me with a huge grin and said, "Today is my boofday Mama!"
So, she was cleaning one of the toilets (very carefully, with cleaning gloves), and I was in the kitchen cleaning up. I thought I would get in the junk drawer and pull my treadmill key out so that I could put it back downstairs by the treadmill. I figured it was safe since the girls weren't going to be down there for the next few days and their friends had gone home.
It wasn't in the drawer.
It wasn't on the key rack.
I ended up removing the drawer from its track and placing it on the kitchen counter. I emptied it, organized it, and still no key.
I went through my dresser drawers. I cleaned those out, organized them. No key.
I went through my closet. Cleaned it out, got a Goodwill pile ready, washed it down, was up on a chair looking in the high places. No key.
I went through every nook and cranny, cleaning as I went, every closet, every drawer I could think of. No key.
So, I thought I would go downstairs and look on the treadmill to see if maybe I hadn't actually removed it.
I looked in the side pocket where I normally place the key when I'm finished. No key. All of my iFit cards were in there, but no key.
So, I went back upstairs, and looked in every nook, cranny, closet, drawer and storage bin I could think of. No key.
I resigned to the fact that I was going to have to call NordicTrack and request a new key.
I went back downstairs, got ON the treadmill. I was looking for the serial number of my treadmill so I had all of the information ready for them when I called the next morning. I looked up, looked down, looked right (where the key normally is), looked left in the other pocket that normally holds my water bottle.
THERE IT WAS. THE KEY.
It had been there the whole time. The first time I checked the treadmill, I had only checked the right side pocket. I didn't even think to lean over another foot to check the left side. I NEVER PUT IT THERE!!
So, there it was, in plain sight. Obviously I don't need to hide it from my kids... because I do a great job hiding it from myself.
How frustrating! And exhausting!
So, Ava and I finished up the bathrooms together and I quit cleaning! I was DONE for the day!
Today I am thankful for my little peanut that loves to help me clean! I am thankful that she was patient enough to let me scour this house from top to bottom in a panic looking for my beloved treadmill key.
I am also thankful for my working treadmill. I needed to run off some anxiety after that!!
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