...and I mean that in a very literal way!
So, as my last post mentioned, our oldest has not been feeling well. This morning he woke me up before 6 and said he was thirsty. I told him to get some water with his bathroom cup. He woke me again a little while later - still thirsty. Get some more water. A little while later, I'm hungry. ::sigh:: See, I've already forgotten my reflections of thanks for him yesterday! It's early... I get him a snack, go back to bed.
Breakfast time, he thinks he needs to throw up. I rush him to the bathroom. Nothing. Then I needed to go take care of some business of my own. As I'm, um, taking care of business, I tell myself that as soon as I get, um, done with my business, I need to grab a trashcan and put it by my son as a preemptive measure. Why didn't I do that already? I knew exactly which one I was going to grab, put a liner in, and walk it to him - I already pictured it in my head.
As I was washing up I heard my hubby yell my name from the living-room. CRUD. He didn't need to say anything further. I knew I was about a minute too late in the time continuum to catch the vomit in a trashcan. I run to the living-room and there you have it...two separate puddles, with splashage up on the couches. Awesome. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Oh, and I got that trashcan ready...
As soon as I got done cleaning that, I headed off to get ready for my shower. Then in walks Baby Girl asking for some new pants. Then she turned and I saw it...liquid poo running down her leg. More awesomeness. I told hubby to run and see, while I got her cleaned up, if she had been sitting on something (like a couch? Eww...). We walked down the hall...and there we saw it. The pile o' poo. Wow, what an awesome morning so far! How a pile escaped her diaper, I do not know...but there it was. Hubby started to clean it up while I cleaned up Baby Girl, who very obviously needed a bath now.
I was preparing the bath, holding onto her arm (so she couldn't run away and impose her filth on anything else in the place), she proceeded to pee all over the floor. Yup...mmhmmm...we were getting all of the bodily fluids taken care of today.
And so, you see, being a mom STINKS!
But you know what? By the grace of God I had a smile on my face during every incident. I giggled about it and never once got flustered...tell me that's not the hand of almighty God on this already tired Mama???
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Forced Opportunities for Thanks
Thankful that your kid is sick?
So...it's weird to be thankful when your kid is sick, right? But, that's where I find myself whenever my kids get taken down by some kind of bug, especially one that can cause a lot of worry - not just the sniffles.
Our oldest had a headache yesterday morning and when I took his temp it was 103.4. I did the usual thing of Tylenol, hydration, resting. He was feeling better a couple of hours later (and fever was down) and we ran a couple of small errands. When it was time for Baby Girl's nap, he sat down with a book and I went to the desk to deal with some paperwork. I went to check on the boys a little while later, and he was asleep with his face smooshed up against his knee. It looked pretty comical, so I went to get my camera. When I came back, he was sitting up, eyes open, and clearly dazed and confused (not referring to the movie of the same phrase!).
I started asking him questions, to which he wasn't responding. He felt so incredibly hot. I got the thermometer and asked him to open his mouth...he was clearly trying, but couldn't do it. His lips started trembling. I put it in as best I could and it jumped to 104.1 - without it even being under his tongue! He started twitching a little and I start thinking of a fever-induced seizure or something...I ran to get a washcloth on his head, called my hubby to come home NOW, then dialed the advice nurse. He clearly wasn't right...and it was scary. The fever is one thing. Not answering my questions? Twitching? Yikes.
Long story short, he started to get cooled down and was snapping out of it. I knew he was going to be okay when after I had sat with him looking into his face for a long time without any acknowledgment from him, he all of a sudden looked at me strange and said, "What?" Like, what are you looking at? He was better by the evening... Today he started vomiting, but that's not the point of my story...
This isn't the first time I've had this revelation, but after a little time goes by, the message wears off and I forget again...but here it is: The time, devotion, and undivided attention that I gave to him when I was super worried about him and doing whatever I could to make sure he was okay? Why don't I behave that way all day EVERYDAY? Why don't I spend that time with him, looking him in the face, asking him questions, even when he doesn't have a fever? I confess...it used to be that way when he was the only child. Then the second one came along and it got a little harder...and now with three, I'm exhausted. And this summer vacation with 3 kids at home all day everyday in this cramped apartment? I'm having trouble making emotional connections with my kids. I face it everyday and try to force myself to sit on the floor and give them my undivided attention. I've been terrible at it this summer.
So, in that regard, yes, I am thankful my kid got sick. I was forced to sit down, look at him, love on him, nurture him, pray for him...all the things I've been struggling to do this summer. I thank God I wasforced to given the opportunity to stop and make him a priority - and have an immense sense of THANKS that he is mine, and that he's okay.
So...it's weird to be thankful when your kid is sick, right? But, that's where I find myself whenever my kids get taken down by some kind of bug, especially one that can cause a lot of worry - not just the sniffles.
Our oldest had a headache yesterday morning and when I took his temp it was 103.4. I did the usual thing of Tylenol, hydration, resting. He was feeling better a couple of hours later (and fever was down) and we ran a couple of small errands. When it was time for Baby Girl's nap, he sat down with a book and I went to the desk to deal with some paperwork. I went to check on the boys a little while later, and he was asleep with his face smooshed up against his knee. It looked pretty comical, so I went to get my camera. When I came back, he was sitting up, eyes open, and clearly dazed and confused (not referring to the movie of the same phrase!).
I started asking him questions, to which he wasn't responding. He felt so incredibly hot. I got the thermometer and asked him to open his mouth...he was clearly trying, but couldn't do it. His lips started trembling. I put it in as best I could and it jumped to 104.1 - without it even being under his tongue! He started twitching a little and I start thinking of a fever-induced seizure or something...I ran to get a washcloth on his head, called my hubby to come home NOW, then dialed the advice nurse. He clearly wasn't right...and it was scary. The fever is one thing. Not answering my questions? Twitching? Yikes.
Long story short, he started to get cooled down and was snapping out of it. I knew he was going to be okay when after I had sat with him looking into his face for a long time without any acknowledgment from him, he all of a sudden looked at me strange and said, "What?" Like, what are you looking at? He was better by the evening... Today he started vomiting, but that's not the point of my story...
This isn't the first time I've had this revelation, but after a little time goes by, the message wears off and I forget again...but here it is: The time, devotion, and undivided attention that I gave to him when I was super worried about him and doing whatever I could to make sure he was okay? Why don't I behave that way all day EVERYDAY? Why don't I spend that time with him, looking him in the face, asking him questions, even when he doesn't have a fever? I confess...it used to be that way when he was the only child. Then the second one came along and it got a little harder...and now with three, I'm exhausted. And this summer vacation with 3 kids at home all day everyday in this cramped apartment? I'm having trouble making emotional connections with my kids. I face it everyday and try to force myself to sit on the floor and give them my undivided attention. I've been terrible at it this summer.
So, in that regard, yes, I am thankful my kid got sick. I was forced to sit down, look at him, love on him, nurture him, pray for him...all the things I've been struggling to do this summer. I thank God I was
Monday, July 25, 2011
Growing Boy
So, our 5 year-old still takes naps. He loves his naps and he naps HARD. Well, until today. He will be in afternoon kindergarten, so I need to use this next month to get him used to not napping so he can stay awake at school! Hopefully the two boys can keep the noise down so Baby Girl can still get her naps...
I know how great it is that he still naps. I've heard so many stories of kids giving it up at 3, or even 2 years old...but I won't give up on napping just because they protest a few times (which my kids don't really do anyway...) Our oldest stopped at 4, I think...I would have him take some quiet time, but he had stopped napping...and once the boys started sharing a room (when Baby Girl came along), I had to stop that so he would let his little brother sleep.
My guess is that #2 will fall asleep better at night now...and hopefully sleep in? It's never really bothered me that he takes awhile to fall asleep. It gave me some rest in the afternoon while he napped, and he wasn't bothering anyone at night while he waited to drift to sleep... The boys both wake up at the crack of dawn, too...::grumble::
So, not really that noteworthy...just a little change in our house!
I know how great it is that he still naps. I've heard so many stories of kids giving it up at 3, or even 2 years old...but I won't give up on napping just because they protest a few times (which my kids don't really do anyway...) Our oldest stopped at 4, I think...I would have him take some quiet time, but he had stopped napping...and once the boys started sharing a room (when Baby Girl came along), I had to stop that so he would let his little brother sleep.
My guess is that #2 will fall asleep better at night now...and hopefully sleep in? It's never really bothered me that he takes awhile to fall asleep. It gave me some rest in the afternoon while he napped, and he wasn't bothering anyone at night while he waited to drift to sleep... The boys both wake up at the crack of dawn, too...::grumble::
So, not really that noteworthy...just a little change in our house!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Even More Changing Looks!
This time was during breakfast. He was wiggling it and I noticed his hand was bloody (he had no idea). So, I took him to the bathroom, gave it a twist, and let him pull it out. Tada! Tooth Fairy stayed close...she knew it was coming.
Here's to some toothless grins for awhile!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Bumpy Roads are Worth it
You know those bright yellow bumpy thingies right by the doors of Target? Well, they can be kind of annoying. BUT, with these 3 beauties...it's a beautiful sound!
And yes...they do this every time! :o)
And yes...they do this every time! :o)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Changing Looks
So...#1's top tooth finally gave way tonight. It has been loose for months. At dinner the one next to it started to wiggle just as much...so it will be gone soon, especially without the buddy tooth next to it!
I haven't been dreading this day...because I know that he will never look the same again! Once kids lose those top front teeth, they just change in their looks. I was wondering if his teeth would hang on for his birthday...no dice!
I asked if he wanted to tie some floss to it and he agreed. He lolligagged for a little with it, then decided he wanted to be done. So, we went to read our bedtime story, pray, etc. Then he decided he wanted to try it again. The second time I tied the floss up high and tight - we were committed this time! There was no way we could untie it or cut it off.
We twisted it a little, then he decided to twist it back and be done. So...I gave it a swift, firm tug, and it fell to the floor. He was excited!
Little brother was in the thick of things the entire time. He actually had his head between #1 and the mirror, wanting to see, wanting a chance to tug on the floss. He was just as excited! He couldn't wait to put the tooth in the pillow for Bubba.
There's a tooth-shaped pocket on the back side. I flipped it around as I left the room to make it easier for the Tooth Fairy...she really owes me for having him put it on the door instead of under his pillow. She loves it, trust me! I just hope she can find the apartment...
I haven't been dreading this day...because I know that he will never look the same again! Once kids lose those top front teeth, they just change in their looks. I was wondering if his teeth would hang on for his birthday...no dice!
I asked if he wanted to tie some floss to it and he agreed. He lolligagged for a little with it, then decided he wanted to be done. So, we went to read our bedtime story, pray, etc. Then he decided he wanted to try it again. The second time I tied the floss up high and tight - we were committed this time! There was no way we could untie it or cut it off.
We twisted it a little, then he decided to twist it back and be done. So...I gave it a swift, firm tug, and it fell to the floor. He was excited!
Little brother was in the thick of things the entire time. He actually had his head between #1 and the mirror, wanting to see, wanting a chance to tug on the floss. He was just as excited! He couldn't wait to put the tooth in the pillow for Bubba.
There's a tooth-shaped pocket on the back side. I flipped it around as I left the room to make it easier for the Tooth Fairy...she really owes me for having him put it on the door instead of under his pillow. She loves it, trust me! I just hope she can find the apartment...
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Blog Pictures
Just FYI...
I hope to add some photos to the blog posts soon...just need some time to do it.
I know you must be super excited about that!
I hope to add some photos to the blog posts soon...just need some time to do it.
I know you must be super excited about that!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
God's Love Notes to Us
It's so exciting to see God - signs of God - Love Notes from Him. Of course it's easy to see Him in the BIG things in life. The birth of your children. The healing of a very sick body. That's certainly exciting, full of joy, and AMAZING! But, I get the biggest kick out of seeing God in the little things. When He weaves little Love Notes into everyday things...into seemingly mundane tasks, it just makes me giddy...it makes me smile on the inside and out. I get SO EXCITED!
God has been leading us in this whole process. We have sought out His wisdom and I believe we've heard Him and followed His lead in the sale of our house and in the search of our new home. There's an amazing PEACE that you can have when you allow the Lord to lead and have FAITH that He'll carry you to where He wants you to go. If you let Him. And I believe we're letting Him do that. Of course I can have some waxing and waning emotions (like really really not wanting to live in an apartment for too long), but ultimately, I am at peace with the process and super DUPER stoked to see what happens next!!
Here are some of the Love Notes I've swooped up and filed in my heart during this moving process so far:
As I mentioned before, we found our buyers within a week of putting the house on the market. I only had about 10 days of working my fanny off to keep the house "show ready" - which is super stressful with 3 kids. I didn't have to do it long. Many have to do it for months or years. I am SO grateful I didn't have to keep that up! Thanks, God! I'm thankful for the quick sale for that reason, and the very important reason of the confirmation that it was the right time to sell.
In March we rented a storage unit in order to "declutter" the house and "stage" the house better for the market. It was HUGE. We weren't sure we were going to need it that big, but just kind of had a feeling it might be wise to get it. For a couple of months it looked like it was definitely an overkill! We took things little by little. We got a lot in there. But you know what? When it came to moving day (the BIG moving day, with the bulk of the furniture going to the apartment, which meant we would live there now), the unit was proven to be the exact right size. We filled it up - with a walkway down the middle, our washer, dryer, and refrigerator the last things in...right at the edge of the unit. It was perfect. Just the right size.
Although I was very grateful to snag the last ideal apartment for us, I was a little bummed that we would have to pay a few weeks extra rent since it was available before our scheduled close of escrow. However, as time went on and we got ready to move, it was actually quite a blessing to have it that early. As I mentioned before, we slowly moved in things that weren't essential to us at the house. It allowed the kids to get acclimated - I believe it helped me with that process as well. And it alleviated much of the work load on actual moving day - we didn't have to fuss with the little things. The timing was perfect after all. Imagine that. (And the apartment complex held the apartment for us for 2.5 weeks without rent...who does that??? We would have had to pay more rent otherwise - thankful!)
For moving day the truck size we wanted to rent wasn't available - so we had to rent a gigantic one that we thought was just going to be way too big and a hassle. I had given our dads the disclaimer that it wasn't the one we wanted, but here it is and blahblahblah. But, you guessed it. It turned out to be the exact right size. The first load (to the apartment) covered all the square-footage the truck had to offer. Perfect. The second load (stuff to storage) did as well! And my hubby drove it very well, too.
My son collects toy turtles. The moving truck had the painting of a sea turtle on it. Awesome.
As the dining room table was being moved, my dad discovered a fortune from a fortune cookie that one of the kids had stuck under the table. It read: Your lost treasure will be found within the month. Let's hope so! Come on new house! Funny timing.
The moving truck was due to be back at the rental place by 5:00pm. As it got later on moving day, it became very apparent that we were going to be cutting it close. The load still needed to be taken to the storage unit, unloaded, gas put in the truck, and then driven to the rental place. It didn't seem possible we had enough time for that. I sat in the parking lot at Vons in the van waiting for Hubby to gas the truck. I kept looking at the clock, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel...we had just a few minutes to get there. I followed him to the rental place, eyes darting between the road and the clock. He pulls the truck into the lot at exactly 5:00. It. Was. Amazing. AWESOME!
Our escrow was scheduled to close on June 20th. BUT, the buyers didn't get their paperwork signed in time (as we understand it, it was their lender's fault). It was starting to look like their lender was trying to stretch it out until the end of the month. I was fuming at his blatant disregard for not only our time (we wanted to be able to schedule a walk-through with the buyers to show them a few things), but hello - we had a contract. After much back and forth, it was finally arranged for escrow to close on the 23rd. And the buyers agreed to let us wait to hand them the keys until the morning of the 24th so that I could be there (I had Cub Scout camp every afternoon that week...which is another story of a stressful week!). I didn't want to miss out on handing over the keys...it was important to me. So, the really nice thing about escrow being delayed is that we were able to keep the dogs at the house for that week and not at the apartment. I was gone literally all day every day that week, so I couldn't have walked them. Hubby's parents agreed to watch them for that week for me to ease my stress, which was wonderful. But, this way, they only had to watch them one night. And our dogs got to enjoy their yard for a few more days. It really did work out for the better. Of course it did!
A couple of weeks before we moved out of the house, I told Hubby I wish we had thought to keep one of the "Baby Maples" that had rooted underneath our Japanese Maple in the backyard so we could plant it at the next house - and have a part of our first house with us (it would drop seeds and some would actually grow a bit - we had already taken one and planted it in another spot and it is getting quite big). I looked under the tree to see if there were any - no dice. The morning we handed over the keys I went over to gather the dogs and their things (and take them to the groomer). In the backyard something caught my eye - a Baby Maple! A tree had started to grow. So, I pulled it up and wrapped it in a wet paper towel to transport to the apartment. Then I put it in a pot with another plant until I could get it its own pot. I was so amazed! I got my Baby Maple! (I may have since lost/killed it...but...I still rejoice over that and hold out hope it'll make a comeback!).
Hubby lost his van key/remote on moving day (6/17). On 6/27 it hit me that he should look in my dad's car since he took him to get the moving truck. Hubby and dad went to search the car...and TADA! 10 days later. Key/remote found. Those things are expensive to replace...whew!
*Updated/forgotten love note:
The entire time we lived in our house, the city never resealed the road. My parents have had it done in front of their house at least twice, and they've lived there about as long as we did at our house. We always wondered when the time would come. Just a few days before moving we got notice that the roads were going to be sealed...the Tuesday after we moved! That messy, stinky stuff...can't drive on it, so you can't leave, or if you do, can't drive home stuff...we didn't have to deal with it! So funny!
And last one...for now. Our neighbors upstairs...SO LOUD. And it didn't seem to stop. They would still be walking around (loudly) upstairs at 2:00am. I could hear the washing machine running at midnight, too. And just about every morning at 5:00am I would be awakened by stomping up there. It was so frustrating. But you know what? It didn't last long...they moved out on 7/7. Now we are hopeful it doesn't get rented out for awhile...
Our God is an awesome God. He truly is. And I am so blessed that He speaks to me. In things BIG and small. Thank you, Father God, for the little Love Notes you leave in my path...
God has been leading us in this whole process. We have sought out His wisdom and I believe we've heard Him and followed His lead in the sale of our house and in the search of our new home. There's an amazing PEACE that you can have when you allow the Lord to lead and have FAITH that He'll carry you to where He wants you to go. If you let Him. And I believe we're letting Him do that. Of course I can have some waxing and waning emotions (like really really not wanting to live in an apartment for too long), but ultimately, I am at peace with the process and super DUPER stoked to see what happens next!!
Here are some of the Love Notes I've swooped up and filed in my heart during this moving process so far:
As I mentioned before, we found our buyers within a week of putting the house on the market. I only had about 10 days of working my fanny off to keep the house "show ready" - which is super stressful with 3 kids. I didn't have to do it long. Many have to do it for months or years. I am SO grateful I didn't have to keep that up! Thanks, God! I'm thankful for the quick sale for that reason, and the very important reason of the confirmation that it was the right time to sell.
In March we rented a storage unit in order to "declutter" the house and "stage" the house better for the market. It was HUGE. We weren't sure we were going to need it that big, but just kind of had a feeling it might be wise to get it. For a couple of months it looked like it was definitely an overkill! We took things little by little. We got a lot in there. But you know what? When it came to moving day (the BIG moving day, with the bulk of the furniture going to the apartment, which meant we would live there now), the unit was proven to be the exact right size. We filled it up - with a walkway down the middle, our washer, dryer, and refrigerator the last things in...right at the edge of the unit. It was perfect. Just the right size.
Although I was very grateful to snag the last ideal apartment for us, I was a little bummed that we would have to pay a few weeks extra rent since it was available before our scheduled close of escrow. However, as time went on and we got ready to move, it was actually quite a blessing to have it that early. As I mentioned before, we slowly moved in things that weren't essential to us at the house. It allowed the kids to get acclimated - I believe it helped me with that process as well. And it alleviated much of the work load on actual moving day - we didn't have to fuss with the little things. The timing was perfect after all. Imagine that. (And the apartment complex held the apartment for us for 2.5 weeks without rent...who does that??? We would have had to pay more rent otherwise - thankful!)
For moving day the truck size we wanted to rent wasn't available - so we had to rent a gigantic one that we thought was just going to be way too big and a hassle. I had given our dads the disclaimer that it wasn't the one we wanted, but here it is and blahblahblah. But, you guessed it. It turned out to be the exact right size. The first load (to the apartment) covered all the square-footage the truck had to offer. Perfect. The second load (stuff to storage) did as well! And my hubby drove it very well, too.
My son collects toy turtles. The moving truck had the painting of a sea turtle on it. Awesome.
As the dining room table was being moved, my dad discovered a fortune from a fortune cookie that one of the kids had stuck under the table. It read: Your lost treasure will be found within the month. Let's hope so! Come on new house! Funny timing.
The moving truck was due to be back at the rental place by 5:00pm. As it got later on moving day, it became very apparent that we were going to be cutting it close. The load still needed to be taken to the storage unit, unloaded, gas put in the truck, and then driven to the rental place. It didn't seem possible we had enough time for that. I sat in the parking lot at Vons in the van waiting for Hubby to gas the truck. I kept looking at the clock, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel...we had just a few minutes to get there. I followed him to the rental place, eyes darting between the road and the clock. He pulls the truck into the lot at exactly 5:00. It. Was. Amazing. AWESOME!
Our escrow was scheduled to close on June 20th. BUT, the buyers didn't get their paperwork signed in time (as we understand it, it was their lender's fault). It was starting to look like their lender was trying to stretch it out until the end of the month. I was fuming at his blatant disregard for not only our time (we wanted to be able to schedule a walk-through with the buyers to show them a few things), but hello - we had a contract. After much back and forth, it was finally arranged for escrow to close on the 23rd. And the buyers agreed to let us wait to hand them the keys until the morning of the 24th so that I could be there (I had Cub Scout camp every afternoon that week...which is another story of a stressful week!). I didn't want to miss out on handing over the keys...it was important to me. So, the really nice thing about escrow being delayed is that we were able to keep the dogs at the house for that week and not at the apartment. I was gone literally all day every day that week, so I couldn't have walked them. Hubby's parents agreed to watch them for that week for me to ease my stress, which was wonderful. But, this way, they only had to watch them one night. And our dogs got to enjoy their yard for a few more days. It really did work out for the better. Of course it did!
A couple of weeks before we moved out of the house, I told Hubby I wish we had thought to keep one of the "Baby Maples" that had rooted underneath our Japanese Maple in the backyard so we could plant it at the next house - and have a part of our first house with us (it would drop seeds and some would actually grow a bit - we had already taken one and planted it in another spot and it is getting quite big). I looked under the tree to see if there were any - no dice. The morning we handed over the keys I went over to gather the dogs and their things (and take them to the groomer). In the backyard something caught my eye - a Baby Maple! A tree had started to grow. So, I pulled it up and wrapped it in a wet paper towel to transport to the apartment. Then I put it in a pot with another plant until I could get it its own pot. I was so amazed! I got my Baby Maple! (I may have since lost/killed it...but...I still rejoice over that and hold out hope it'll make a comeback!).
Hubby lost his van key/remote on moving day (6/17). On 6/27 it hit me that he should look in my dad's car since he took him to get the moving truck. Hubby and dad went to search the car...and TADA! 10 days later. Key/remote found. Those things are expensive to replace...whew!
*Updated/forgotten love note:
The entire time we lived in our house, the city never resealed the road. My parents have had it done in front of their house at least twice, and they've lived there about as long as we did at our house. We always wondered when the time would come. Just a few days before moving we got notice that the roads were going to be sealed...the Tuesday after we moved! That messy, stinky stuff...can't drive on it, so you can't leave, or if you do, can't drive home stuff...we didn't have to deal with it! So funny!
And last one...for now. Our neighbors upstairs...SO LOUD. And it didn't seem to stop. They would still be walking around (loudly) upstairs at 2:00am. I could hear the washing machine running at midnight, too. And just about every morning at 5:00am I would be awakened by stomping up there. It was so frustrating. But you know what? It didn't last long...they moved out on 7/7. Now we are hopeful it doesn't get rented out for awhile...
Our God is an awesome God. He truly is. And I am so blessed that He speaks to me. In things BIG and small. Thank you, Father God, for the little Love Notes you leave in my path...
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