Sick Sick Sick

We have suffered through quite a bit of sickness in our home over the past six/eight weeks. Well....suffered....that's harsh, I suppose.

Suffering is dirt floors, starving bellies, tin roofs; malaria or AIDS.

One at a time, each taking their turn, the boys and Lola went down. Just when we thought we were done, it came back around and started all over, taking them one by one yet again.  And then, a third time; this one, a completely different bug with new symptoms.  Thankfully, puke wasn't one of them that round. And then again....last night....Lola. A. GAIN.

In truth, I've been given a gift with the sickness.  It was hidden, and I had to dig a bit for it, but boy, I sure did enjoy it once it was found.

As the mother of sick children, I was given the gift of stopping without guilt.

I don't know about others, but I have a difficult time slowing down. My life is busy, what with (how many children do I have? Whoa) and a entrepreneurial, hard working husband who works sometimes many, many  hours so that we can enjoy many of life's wonderful pleasures. Not the least of which is the opportunity that he has given me to stay home with all of my babies from the time they were born until that dreaded day in August--when I have cried as I watched them leave me for the excitement of Kindergarten.

I enjoy staying home. I am happiest in my kitchen.  I fancy myself a decent (alright, pretty good), organized housekeeper and a fairly good cook. There is constantly something to be done to keep my family (and all that comes along with them) running smoothly. I don't need to list; you all know what those things are, and I'm sure between all of us, we could be here all day naming the things that keep us working from sun up till sun down (and most days, well beyond those hours).

There is so much to do that often, I feel guilty just enjoying my precious daughter during the day. Sitting means the other stuff isn't getting done.

Playing beauty shop. Doing nails. Watching Tinkerbell or Tangled or Veggie Tales. Playing Uno or Blink or dollhouse or "hold me like a baby" or dress up with the baby dolls. Reading.

That list could go on and on as well.

But being sick, especially when it hit me, has forced my hand. I had to stop. I had to be still, because it just hurt too bad to move too much!

And I found it was wonderful.

We did all of those things, and more. We laughed. We discovered some new things. We just enjoyed each other. And I said the words, "The house is kind of a wreck" to Shane as he came home from work more times than I probably have in the last year combined. He didn't seem to mind. He's awesome like that.

(Truth is, he has seen the value in my "being still" for some time and has been gently, patiently trying to work me toward it. Told you. Awesome.)

I've decided it was high time that I make more of an effort to live this way--even when my body (or theirs) isn't necessarily forcing me.

So, I've made my confession. I've said it before and I know I will say it again: I'm not a perfect mom.  How about you--do you struggle with this, and if so, how do you find your balance?

 

This week, I want to remember: (3-12/3-16)

Monday, March 12

We headed back to the doc for a checkup. Lola's ears were much better, but still not clear--

which surprised our doc, considering how powerful the shots were that she received.

 Lola may have to see an ENT if things don't improve.  We are giving her some zyrtec to help
with her fluid and will go back in two weeks to check things out again. If she is still not clear,
we will not get the go ahead for her surgery--so please pray with us that this medicine helps her
and that she is all better by next week!

Another beautiful afternoon led to some more baseball practice after school.

Lola watched from her bike. She loves this bike and could ride for hours....

Such concentration and power :)

That night, we had Tortellini Soup and sandwiches for dinner. This in itself is nothing big, but the fact that Colin repeatedly kept asking for more "toot-el-ini" had me cracking right up. Under my breath, of course--because I am pretty sure I don't ever want him to say it the right way.

Before bed, we had some fun with Colin's new light saber. It's pretty realistic!!

Tuesday, March 13

I wanted to snap a picture of the kids outside, since it was so beautiful!

Yeah. It was also so bright. *grin*

We took a trip to the park! Such a gorgeous day.

Some fun on the hippo....

....and on the slide!

Ethan was so good with Lo. He was careful to "help" her on everything!

Then, that night, Grandma Jane came out for bike rides and a family dinner. I was having way too much fun to snap any pictures--so Mom, since I know you are reading this, please come out again this week so I can snap a few! *grin*

Wednesday, March 14

Lola and Ethan spent a good part of the morning out in our field....

 searching for dandelions sticks rocks treasures.

Then it was time for her Lola's new favorite adventure: the climbing wall.

I'm sure it's hard to notice, but she donned her brother's special mohawk hat 

for most of the morning and refused to take it off.

Up....

 ....she....

....goes!

So proud of her little self.

 My daffodils are getting awfully close!

That night, for a special treat, we went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner!

I've made a deal with the boys. 

I will take a shot (or six) like this....

....and they, in turn, will give me a shot like this.

Pretty fair trade, I'd say!

 Lola and I enjoyed scarfing some chips and salsa!

Mmmmmmmmmmm.

I really appreciated Shane taking us out....sometimes, it is just so nice to 

have a night off of cooking and cleanup duty!

Thursday, March 15

I've been trying to be an early riser to exercise and have my quiet time with God before the 

kids wake and the stress of the day begins....and was treated to a beautiful sunrise this morning!

We did a few errands, and had some great friends over to play!

Colin showed Aiden how to use the light saber....

....he was a pro in no time!

 Brooklyn had some fun swinging with Lola.

Snapped this picture of Ethan....I don't know what it is, but I absolutely love this shot!

And, one day later, my daffodils were in full bloom and gorgeous.

Friday, March 16

My sweeties looking a bit tired before heading off to school.

Someone was up too late the night before watching March Madness!

*grin*

Lola and Ethan and I went to another park during the morning. It is just so beautiful that it is hard not to be outside!  Lola likes to give Mommy heart attacks on the playground equipment.

Ack!

Eeeeeeeeek!!

She is always so excited when she gets to do things just like her big brothers, but 

I am just not sure I am ready for her to be this grown up!

It was an absolutely perfect morning with my babies!

After the park, it was home for rest time and packing for this Momma.....I was headed to Hearts at Home!!

This week, I want to remember (1/30-2/3)

Monday, January 30

The kids spent the day playing with Ethan's new birthday toys!

 Lola was quiet and I found her like this. This girl loves her some things she shouldn't touch!

And, it was such a beautiful day....

....that we were able to get some outdoor time in, too!

We've sure been blessed with such a mild winter.

The kids have been outside more times than I can count.

Lola used her new dishes from Grandma Nette at dinner! She loved them.

Shane built Ethan his new train track so he would wake up to a nice surprise on his birthday!

Tuesday, January 31


It's Ethan's birthday! And Mommy's, too!

The boys woke up and decided to add to Ethan's track.

Banana nut muffins for breakfast! 

Special request of the birthday boy (and why we baked so many of them last week!)

Ethan was a little confused opening Gram's card (which contained a check)....

....until I told him what it was!

We played Candy Land, read lots of books, and did some learning time.

Then, in the middle of the day--I got flowers!

First, a bouquet of roses (Thank you Dad and Amy, they are absolutely lovely!) and then

a very colorful assortment containing one of my faves--Gerbera Daisies--from Shane.

Later that night, we went to dinner for our birthday and had a great time with our family.

The boys sat at the end of the table and had their own conversation.

Adults are boring.

My cousin Haley and Lolee girl. Haley is having a baby girl herself in just a few weeks!

Yummy cake!

Told you it was yummy.

Haley and I

Lola took her turns around the table sitting on laps.

First, it was Grandma Jane's turn....

Then it was Daddy's.

What a great birthday!

Wednesday, February 1

(How are we in the second month of the year already? Wha?)

It was Errand Day. I did a lot, lot, lot of things--but no pictures! :) Just one of those busy-keeping-the-house-running days.

Thursday, February 2

We woke up...and I was able to give the boys a lesson on fog.

Lola has been showing lots and lots of signs...and today was the day.  Underpants! 

We ditched the diapers and she did really well. Only one accident, which I thought was great. 

I kept her in undies and a robe only, for ease of dressing/undressing.  I had put her on the 

potty several times when I saw this:

then this....

....and then this!

She had ditched her clothes and climbed up there all by herself.

This girl never ceases to surprise me!

On the toilet note, when you turn five in our home, it means you start doing the deed all by yourself. And by doing the deed, I do mean the 'wiping' deed. So, between Ethan learning to wipe himself (and me checking him) and Lola going potty every 7.4 minutes (and wiping her), I think I washed hands (including Lola's, Ethan's, and my own) about 438 times. (All numbers approximate. Whew.)

Ethan played on his train again for what seemed like hours.....even Lola loved it!

Then the weather cleared up--it turned into a gorgeous day....

....so they kids were able to play outside again!

And, when the big boys got home from school, Ethan informed them:

"Guys. That bird saw his shadow." 

Friday February 3

My poor babies stayed home from school today. I wouldn't say they are "super" sick, but Col and Cam each have a cough that I didn't want to expose the other children to. 

We ran our poor nebulizer silly....but it seemed to really help.

Colin and I had this conversation:

Colin: "Mommy, I'm most like a monkey."

Now, to be fair, this absolutely came out of nowhere. I try really hard to respond to my children at all times, rather than reacting to them (I fail a lot, but I try!) but in this situation, I was at a loss.

Me: "Uh.....huh?"

Colin: "Well. Monkeys are wild. Monkeys are independent. Monkeys are loud. Monkeys are fast in trees. And monkeys are goofy."

Me, failing again: "Uh....o....kay."

(He later went on to explain that, in school, they are doing an art project where they have to choose an animal that they are most like, and do a project on it. Which helped, knowing that that conversation did not, in fact, come out of nowhere! It was a pretty funny few minutes of conversation.)

Sometimes...on days like today, it appears....a girl just has to get her Tinkerbell on.

We had another lovely "Family Night" at home.  We ate some Tombstone pizzas, picnic-style (a.k.a. in front of the TV--rare for us--and yes, I was feeling gourmet, thankyouverymuch) and watched Mr. Popper's Penguins! Cameron was so excited when he heard which movie I had chosen. His exact words were: "Mommy, Hayden and Waylon (schoolmates) both said that movie is so funny, and that the penguins in it pooter all the time!" 

Apparently, it takes nothing more than bodily functions to get laughs out of little boys! And, considering Shane was giggling quite a bit, it seems that some things never change!

We all really enjoyed it.