Today was a stay in pajamas all day, shower, and get back in pajamas kind of day
Today was a smoothie full of spinach and fruit kind of day
Today was a checking off to do list tedium kind of day
Today was an every toy possible is covering the floor at one point of the day kind of day
Today was a long bath for a 4 year old to distract him from missing his sister who's at a play date kind of day
Today was a grilled cheese and tomato soup kind of day
Today was a take care of the fevered husband and runny nosed baby kind of day
Today was a clean out the fridge of leftovers that are still left and expired food items kind of day
Today was a two loads of dishes kind of day
Today was a lot of phone calls kind of day
Today was a feel sad for the abundance of problems that exist in the world and grateful for your own relatively small ones kind of day
Today was an early bed time for the kids kind of day
Today was a decline fun invites because you need to be at home and take care of things kind of day
Today was a learn from other people kind of day
Today was a be impressed by those who make amends kind of day
Today was a make banana muffins late at night to surprise your kids in the morning kind of day
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, Monday
Today was one of those days where I was just not on my game. I hate those days. Charlie is living on air and crackers and soy milk because his mouth still hurts and he's not eating much of anything. Sam's ears were painted on today and I let him get away with the cardinal sin of turning on the television. I was too flustered to fight him. He'd live on sugar if I let him, but I'm not tolerating teething excuses from a 4 year old, so we've been in many a battle about what healthy is and what food choices he's allowed to make. Yesterday he screamed that Heavenly Father was mad at me because I wouldn't let him have a cupcake. Not sure I buy that one, but it was a good effort to appeal to my religious sensibilities. All three kids have a runny nose going, and Addie seemed to be not feeling super great all day. She wasn't her usual helpful self and I think if I'd encouraged her she would've napped she seemed so worn out. But I wasn't on my game enough to recognize what each of my kids was needing while they were needing it today.
I determined today's failure was because I hadn't planned ahead. I do much better if I review my day the night before and get organized. Instead, I was running around knowing I had a lot to do but not knowing what to do because I hadn't made a list. Rookie mistake, but somehow it still happened. I still got some things done, but I spent much of the day spinning my wheels and not really accomplishing much. So tonight, I'm setting my house in order. List making is resuming. Schedules are coming back (although I know that at a moments notice they could all be thrown out the window). I've got to get back on my game. Winter does this to me every year. I get sucked into the lazies and lack of accomplishment and have a hard time getting motivated. Pajamas and blankets and not leaving the house sound much more appealing to me when the weather is cold. Hopefully I can make it through this slump called January. Suggestions are welcome.
I determined today's failure was because I hadn't planned ahead. I do much better if I review my day the night before and get organized. Instead, I was running around knowing I had a lot to do but not knowing what to do because I hadn't made a list. Rookie mistake, but somehow it still happened. I still got some things done, but I spent much of the day spinning my wheels and not really accomplishing much. So tonight, I'm setting my house in order. List making is resuming. Schedules are coming back (although I know that at a moments notice they could all be thrown out the window). I've got to get back on my game. Winter does this to me every year. I get sucked into the lazies and lack of accomplishment and have a hard time getting motivated. Pajamas and blankets and not leaving the house sound much more appealing to me when the weather is cold. Hopefully I can make it through this slump called January. Suggestions are welcome.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Long Road
Tonight I sat down to write in my journal. The non-public one, that is. I wrote the date and then remembered. One year ago today, Pat and I loaded up our car and our baby. We drove to the rehab hospital, putting the last few belongings needed immediately into boxes and then packing our car really full. We pulled the car around to the curb and were escorted down with the physical therapist for our first real car transfer. And then we pulled away.
My dad sat up front with Pat. I sat in the back next to Charlie, pumping and meeting his needs throughout the drive back to Utah. He was barely 6 weeks. Pat tried to talk to my dad the entire drive, getting to know the life story of what seemed like a stranger who would be living with us now. It was hard for my dad to talk. It was hard for us to understand.
We stopped for lunch at Subway. I was nervous when he got out of the car. I was nervous when he stepped up onto the curb. I was nervous when he opened the door. I was nervous when he chose what to order. I figured Subway was our healthiest bet, but I wasn't planning on him asking for chips. After lunch we returned to the car. We read through literature on diabetes and carb counting. We talked about foods he liked and didn't like so I could try to plan meals accordingly. I can still see the sun streaming through the car window and the pictures of foods on the purple-bordered pages.
Things felt awkward and strange. We made it home around dinner time. I don't remember everything clearly- I think Chrissy brought dinner, or maybe Rita. I think Rita watched Addie and Sam while we were in Idaho learning all about how to take care of my dad. I remember freaking out internally while my dad was trying to make it in the house. Navigating the 4 stairs from the garage was one of my biggest concerns. I remember following him everywhere he went, worrying about his every move, straining to understand his every word. We helped him get dressed for bed. We did stretches with him.
And then we went to bed and everything was completely different. Our house felt different. We cried and prayed. It had been a long road from Idaho to Utah. We knew the longer road was in front of us.
Looking back, it has been a long road. I had no idea a year ago what we were about to go through. And now, one year later, we're preparing for my dad to move to an assisted living center. There's still a long road ahead in terms of his recovery, especially not knowing what the future may hold. But I'm grateful for the One who guides my steps. And I'm grateful for my travel companions- my sweet family. Long roads aren't so bad when you like who you're with.
My dad sat up front with Pat. I sat in the back next to Charlie, pumping and meeting his needs throughout the drive back to Utah. He was barely 6 weeks. Pat tried to talk to my dad the entire drive, getting to know the life story of what seemed like a stranger who would be living with us now. It was hard for my dad to talk. It was hard for us to understand.
We stopped for lunch at Subway. I was nervous when he got out of the car. I was nervous when he stepped up onto the curb. I was nervous when he opened the door. I was nervous when he chose what to order. I figured Subway was our healthiest bet, but I wasn't planning on him asking for chips. After lunch we returned to the car. We read through literature on diabetes and carb counting. We talked about foods he liked and didn't like so I could try to plan meals accordingly. I can still see the sun streaming through the car window and the pictures of foods on the purple-bordered pages.
Things felt awkward and strange. We made it home around dinner time. I don't remember everything clearly- I think Chrissy brought dinner, or maybe Rita. I think Rita watched Addie and Sam while we were in Idaho learning all about how to take care of my dad. I remember freaking out internally while my dad was trying to make it in the house. Navigating the 4 stairs from the garage was one of my biggest concerns. I remember following him everywhere he went, worrying about his every move, straining to understand his every word. We helped him get dressed for bed. We did stretches with him.
And then we went to bed and everything was completely different. Our house felt different. We cried and prayed. It had been a long road from Idaho to Utah. We knew the longer road was in front of us.
Looking back, it has been a long road. I had no idea a year ago what we were about to go through. And now, one year later, we're preparing for my dad to move to an assisted living center. There's still a long road ahead in terms of his recovery, especially not knowing what the future may hold. But I'm grateful for the One who guides my steps. And I'm grateful for my travel companions- my sweet family. Long roads aren't so bad when you like who you're with.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sam-a-lama-ding-dong
Thanks, Mel, for my most favorite picture ever of this boy.
Today this boy is 4. Those eyes still turn me to mush every time. He adores his big sister. He enjoys providing comic relief (much like his dad). He is sensitive and sweet and gives the best compliments, frequently telling me how boo-ti-ful I look or that my dinner is de-wish-us or my outfit is ado-wa-bull. Tonight in his bedtime prayers he talked about how excited he was to be 4 and that he wouldn't do mean things any more. He is currently indecisive (his letter to Santa said, "Dear Santa, I'm still thinking about it. Love, Sam". "I'm still thinking about it" is what he tells me non-stop everyday). He loves going to school. He loves a little bit of mischief, but those eyes make me let the little things slide. He is tall and thin and happy. Everyone needs a Sam. He is one special boy, and I'm so grateful to be his mom.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Five on Friday
1. We returned on Monday from a long weekend in New York. Pat's grandpa turned 90, and it was a great excuse for us to go visit family and take our kids to see the city. I was pleasantly surprised by how well they did while traveling. Sam slept for 3 hours on the way home, Charlie slept during runway taxi-ing and take-off on both flights, and Charlie was awesome to sit in his stroller while Addie and Sam traipsed through the city without too many problems. Hopefully pics to follow. I'd like to spend a little more time around here.
2. Charlie took his first steps today. I was holding his hand and let go and he kept on going. He's done it several times since. I always look at the beginning of walking with a mixture of excitement and dread. Charlie has seemed like a different kid this week from the way he's playing to the sounds he's making, and now he has to go and start walking. I think he missed the memo that I'm not quite ready for him to be big yet.
3. I've been back to busy times with things for my dad. He got approved for the waiver program we've been working towards for the past 3 months, so now I have to choose a facility by the middle of next week. It's been a lot of phone calls trying to schedule visits to tour places, and I'm also in the midst of a COBRA battle which I will hopefully win. And hopefully soon, because the hours of phone calls get old really fast.
4. Sometimes Addie and Sam are so dang sweet together. They definitely have their share of fighting, but yesterday Sam tripped on the steps leaving preschool and was quite upset about the scrapes he received. Addie drew him a picture and wrote him a note to help him feel better. Her notes are so sincere. A few weeks ago she wrote a letter to our neighbor across the street thanking him for helping us with snow removal. Adorable.
5. It's birthday weekend at our house! I feel like poor Sam is getting a little slighted- he hasn't requested much by way of celebration, and catching up from our trip I haven't had the oomph to put together too many bells and whistles. I'm grateful that simple pleasures are enjoyed by the 4 year old set, and my simple preparations will be adored by Sam.
Happy Weekend!
And can I add happy half-way through January? Oh, this month...
2. Charlie took his first steps today. I was holding his hand and let go and he kept on going. He's done it several times since. I always look at the beginning of walking with a mixture of excitement and dread. Charlie has seemed like a different kid this week from the way he's playing to the sounds he's making, and now he has to go and start walking. I think he missed the memo that I'm not quite ready for him to be big yet.
3. I've been back to busy times with things for my dad. He got approved for the waiver program we've been working towards for the past 3 months, so now I have to choose a facility by the middle of next week. It's been a lot of phone calls trying to schedule visits to tour places, and I'm also in the midst of a COBRA battle which I will hopefully win. And hopefully soon, because the hours of phone calls get old really fast.
4. Sometimes Addie and Sam are so dang sweet together. They definitely have their share of fighting, but yesterday Sam tripped on the steps leaving preschool and was quite upset about the scrapes he received. Addie drew him a picture and wrote him a note to help him feel better. Her notes are so sincere. A few weeks ago she wrote a letter to our neighbor across the street thanking him for helping us with snow removal. Adorable.
5. It's birthday weekend at our house! I feel like poor Sam is getting a little slighted- he hasn't requested much by way of celebration, and catching up from our trip I haven't had the oomph to put together too many bells and whistles. I'm grateful that simple pleasures are enjoyed by the 4 year old set, and my simple preparations will be adored by Sam.
Happy Weekend!
And can I add happy half-way through January? Oh, this month...
Monday, January 3, 2011
I loved today because...
-Pat had the day off today but forgot to tell me until yesterday, so it made for a nice surprise extra long weekend
-I made pork tacos for dinner
-I took a nap that was much longer than I was planning on
-I made some good progress on my to-do list
-I had a phone call full of good news
-I had some time to think
I have end of year/beginning of year thoughts to share, but those will have to wait, along with a Christmas recap. Right now I love today because it's time for bed!
-I made pork tacos for dinner
-I took a nap that was much longer than I was planning on
-I made some good progress on my to-do list
-I had a phone call full of good news
-I had some time to think
I have end of year/beginning of year thoughts to share, but those will have to wait, along with a Christmas recap. Right now I love today because it's time for bed!
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