Yes, I would like some cheese with my whine

"Work hard, play hard" this is what I always tell my kids. Yesterday that's what I did- I worked hard to get my reward at the end of the day. It was Thursday, I was exhausted, but I pushed through knowing that at 8:00 when everyone was in bed I could plop on the couch & watch the 3 TV shows that I enjoy guilt free. At 10:30 my TV comma was interrupted by our sick little Bella crying. After she went back to sleep, I finished the last 10 minutes of my medical drama, which ended in a preemie baby dying, me bawling & my foggy head drifting off to dreams of a better world before it hit the pillow. At 1:30 a.m. when my lovely dream world was shattered with cries from my sweet baby, the memories of that preemie dying came rushing back & I welcomed her hugs, held her a little longer, told her in my mind how much I loved her more intensely. At 3:30 my tired mind & body were less sentimental, but I went in and hugged her because I know how hard it is to sleep with a stuffy nose. At 5:00 I sighed & threw the pillow over my head. For a moment I dreamt of putting on a cute matching workout suit & going to the gym, trading in my droopy boobs for the perky version, hitting my husband to wake up in the middle of the night for something other than filling the humidifier, and a massage. Do all those people who say they get massages on face book really get them? Really? I want a massage. Instead I try not to hit a wall as I wobble across the hall into Bella's room for what feels like the hundredth time. At 6:30 I finally just bring her to bed with me & she was actually falling back to sleep...and so was I...then, "MOMMY IS IT MORNIN'?" I crack open one eye & look at the clock. 7:01 a.m. "Yes Sam, I guess it is". Let the party begin. Within seconds, there is a bright light, the theme song to "Umi Zoomie" blaring & kids jumping on me. I lay there starring at the ceiling realizing the only exercise I'm probably going to get today is running up the stairs 20 times to fetch chocolate milk & bring up laundry. If I do get dressed, I better wear my padded bra. And that massage I dreamed about? Whatever. I'm just whining.

No time

I really don't have the time to blog today, but I am in a sentimental mood today & wanted to take a few minutes to write. There are several things that have happened this week that have caused me to stop my life for a minute, totally embrace someone else's life, reflect & appreciate the small things. I am grateful right now for empathy, for visiting teaching, amazing friends that are like sisters, books, diversity, my husband, my boys, my baby girl, the gospel, health & hope.

"When we are in charge- holding people together, giving support & order- there are delays. Like the sun, we slow down for those who need us." Wayne Brickley

funny kids

So, I started off the day with a good amount of energy & ran some errands, like renting movies for my housebound boys, popsicles for sore throats & frozen pizza for a quick & easy dinner.

In the car on the way, I looked back at cute Bella & gushed how glad I am that she's part of our family. Then, I looked at the boys & told them how awesome they are & I said "we have an awesome family huh?" & Sam said "Ya- and awesome jackets!" as he's wearing his ugly hand me down parka!

Then later, Mack said "I wish I didn't have a stripe on my throat."

They helped me smile on this very long day :) After the errands & getting everyone fed lunch, Bella was napping & I was half playing Lego's with the boys, half reading "The Lighting Thief". My head & eye lids suddenly felt very heavy & I realized I needed to rest. I zonked out right there on the floor & it felt great!

Still determined to feel better by tomorrow, so I can go out with Len for Valentine's Day.

Club Med- for antibiotic junkies only

So, does anyone else have the experience of thinking or saying something & very quickly the opposite happens? Like you just jinxed yourself? During the holidays, I remember telling people how healthy we've been this winter. BOOM! Since January it's been one thing after another. Everyone in the picture above is currently on antibiotics (some on their 3rd round of them). Bella has an ear infection, again, and the boys & I got the good news today that we have strep.

Len is trying to stay healthy, while nursing us back to health, and study. I've been trying to convince him that it's not too bad studying at home- why spend all that time away at the library? He says there are too many distractions at home.

I think I'm loosing that battle.

This guy is the only one yet to catch anything (there I go jinxing someone again). Noah barely eats enough to keep a bird alive, avoids all meat other than bacon, and sneaks treats whenever we turn our backs. Go figure why he's the healthiest one in the family? Maybe it's positive outlook.

I still believe in mind over matter. Generally, I can avoid getting terribly sick if I don't concentrate on it, keep going, take lots of vitamins & clean like mad! Can you really ever feel better if the vermin are looking at your house like it's prime real estate? With 4 kids, this is what happens if house work is avoided for more than a few days. Although, there are those time you have to succumb to the fact that your body needs rest...and a new toothbrush!


You see, Bella walks around with a toothbrush in her mouth almost all day long. Yes, I take them out of her mouth & put them back all day long too (I'm not a totally negligent mother)! The boys are now in the habit of grabbing any old toothbrush in the drawer & using it, since theirs has usually walked off with Bella. So, today we got new toothbrushes for everyone with separate cup holders so that we can all have our own, clean toothbrushes that Bella can't reach! Hopefully this will help cut back on germ spreading a bit.

Tomorrow is light switch & doorknob bleaching day... I w i l l w i n (either that, or I just jinxed the heck out of myself & will be flat on my back all next week)!

Big girl!

We finally turned Bella forward facing in her car seat yesterday, which happened to be her 16 month mark. She went to the pediatrician Friday for another ear infection & she weighed in at 17# 4oz. I asked the doc about the 30# guideline for forward facing & she said that's what the standard is, but she & most other pediatricians use the guideline of 20# or 1 year & walking. This is also what Noah's pediatrician told us when he was little. I, of course, want her to be as safe as possible, but she was going crazy in the car reverse facing. It wasn't very safe because I was always trying to reach back & comfort her. She was very happy yesterday to look out :) She also wore her big girl shoes for the first time yesterday. She is growing up quickly!

Today

Women are angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly....on a broomstick. We are flexible!

I should have figured...

My little girl LOVES her brothers & imitates everything that they do. Somehow I was still shocked when we were sitting there the other day & she picked up a toy gun & started making shooting noises! All I could think was "Nooooooo!" I need to go buy Barbies tomorrow :)