Well, I had a lovely weekend with my mother on Saturday and being the mother on Sunday!
We have a pretty good system worked out. The Saturday before Mother's Day, Christy, Mom and I all spend some time together. She lets up be the mom on Mother's Day. Yesterday, we had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory and went shopping. It was fun to just be with them with out distractions. I laughed till I got a headache. Mom said she was exhausted and had to spend the night at Christy's. LOL! We had a really good day together!
Today, Mark had to work, but me and the boys got up and went to church. The sermon was excellent! Then we went and ate Bar-B-Q for lunch. We came home and I got to spend a little time with Mark, which was very nice because we haven't had a lot of time together lately. Then I took a nap with Major. When I woke up, Mark, with some help from Mav and Michael, had cleaned my car. This is a really big deal because my car was in really bad shape! And then, Michael and Mav asked me to go out to dinner and a movie with them.
It is amazing, but still after 3 years Michael and Mav still miss the mom they had before Major came along. Don't get me wrong. They love Major and would not trade for the world. But when it was just them things were A LOT different. Anyway, we went and had dinner and saw the movie "Soul Surfer." It was a really good movie. Very emotional and thought provoking for me. And the boys really enjoyed it too. So, I had a wonderful weekend. I am so blessed to have the mother I have, and to get to be a mother to my wonderful boys. Life is good!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Where am I?
Well, somehow I have let it happen again. It feels like EVERY THING is moving out of control. Our house is under major construction. About 20 projects going and nothing completed. And I don't know where all my time is going. It seems as my day is chopped into small little increments and all these together have just got me at a tired standstill.
I guess my days are really a bit "off" with Michael on his weird schedule. I get up and get Mavrick to school, come home and get Michael up and going, get Major up and everyone fed and dressed. Then between 10 and 11 I take Michael to school and Major and I either go to the gym or to run errands. Lately, about the time we are finished with our errands Michael is calling and wanting to come home. Then in about an hour, Mavrick comes home. There is some time for laundry and dishes in there, and maybe some house keeping. Then dinner, baths and bedtime. Really, where does my day go? I don't know, but I can tell you this, I am exhausted!
**The best part of this post is that I forgot to publish it, so here I am a few days later putting it up. Priceless!**
I guess my days are really a bit "off" with Michael on his weird schedule. I get up and get Mavrick to school, come home and get Michael up and going, get Major up and everyone fed and dressed. Then between 10 and 11 I take Michael to school and Major and I either go to the gym or to run errands. Lately, about the time we are finished with our errands Michael is calling and wanting to come home. Then in about an hour, Mavrick comes home. There is some time for laundry and dishes in there, and maybe some house keeping. Then dinner, baths and bedtime. Really, where does my day go? I don't know, but I can tell you this, I am exhausted!
**The best part of this post is that I forgot to publish it, so here I am a few days later putting it up. Priceless!**
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday
Today was Good Friday. Our first one in the public school arena. Denton ISD was originally closed today, but had class due to the bad weather days that we took earlier in the year.
Yesterday, I had some things to do and mom came over and picked up Michael for me. Well after a long turn of events, I decided that my boys could take off today, as long as they would discuss the true meaning of Good Friday. So of course they wanted to go to Honey's house. I think at first Michael wanted to go by himself, but Honey said "its all or nothing." So all three of them went.
I had a glorious day. I slept late, went shopping to complete my Easter ensemble,got a pedicure, made all the boys Easter baskets, did some laundry, and paid some bills. It was really nice to get so many things off my to do list.
I also applied for a small home improvement loan. We (more me then anyone) are considering putting a pool in. Swimming is supposed to be excellent therapy for people with arthritis. And, I have always wanted a pool. I am praying that if we are not supposed to put a pool in that for some reason we won't get the loan. I told God, "Now God, you know me. I need black or white. If we should do this let it work, if we should not, don't let us get the loan." I told the banker that was my prayer, so if it didn't work out I wouldn't be mad at him because it is a God thing. He laughed and said "I wish all my clients felt like that!"
This afternoon, I also looked at our last four bank statements. I was trying to make sure that we could afford a loan payment. Well, I know we can. Mark is supposed to be getting a little pay increase and we just paid off my car. But I wanted to see if there were things I could cut out that are just wasteful. I am totally embarrassed to admit, but there is in excess of $500 per month that is just wasted - BY ME! It is horrible! So, I am vowing to stop wasting money. Yep, you heard it here first - I am no longer wasting money. Between what I waste and my car payment, our family just got a $1,000 a month raise! Anyway, I am keeping my fingers crossed and my mind open and praying for good decisions and God's will.
Yesterday, I had some things to do and mom came over and picked up Michael for me. Well after a long turn of events, I decided that my boys could take off today, as long as they would discuss the true meaning of Good Friday. So of course they wanted to go to Honey's house. I think at first Michael wanted to go by himself, but Honey said "its all or nothing." So all three of them went.
I had a glorious day. I slept late, went shopping to complete my Easter ensemble,got a pedicure, made all the boys Easter baskets, did some laundry, and paid some bills. It was really nice to get so many things off my to do list.
I also applied for a small home improvement loan. We (more me then anyone) are considering putting a pool in. Swimming is supposed to be excellent therapy for people with arthritis. And, I have always wanted a pool. I am praying that if we are not supposed to put a pool in that for some reason we won't get the loan. I told God, "Now God, you know me. I need black or white. If we should do this let it work, if we should not, don't let us get the loan." I told the banker that was my prayer, so if it didn't work out I wouldn't be mad at him because it is a God thing. He laughed and said "I wish all my clients felt like that!"
This afternoon, I also looked at our last four bank statements. I was trying to make sure that we could afford a loan payment. Well, I know we can. Mark is supposed to be getting a little pay increase and we just paid off my car. But I wanted to see if there were things I could cut out that are just wasteful. I am totally embarrassed to admit, but there is in excess of $500 per month that is just wasted - BY ME! It is horrible! So, I am vowing to stop wasting money. Yep, you heard it here first - I am no longer wasting money. Between what I waste and my car payment, our family just got a $1,000 a month raise! Anyway, I am keeping my fingers crossed and my mind open and praying for good decisions and God's will.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Some GREAT news!
When I got home from taking the boys to Camden's house for the sleepover I checked the mail. GREAT! GREAT! GREAT news was waiting for us there. We had a letter from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Michael had been accepted to their Arthritis clinic and they had set his first appointment for May 27th.
While this whole disease (it is very difficult for me to say that my child has a chronic disease - and it sucks!) has taken some time to diagnose and get in to see people, in the world of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, we have been blessed and have sped through the process. Once we had a pre-diagnosis of JA, we were seeing a specialist in 8 days. Then a week later we got an appointment at TSRHC which is just a little over a month away. I have spoken to and read about children that it has taken YEARS to get an accurate diagnosis and in to Scottish Rite. So, with out doubt, we are blessed to have things moving along so quickly.
Scottish Rite is one of the top Children's Hospitals in the world. I have never met anyone who had a negative thing to say about them. And the most amazing thing is that once you are accepted, there is no charge for their services! I don't even think I can wrap my head around that yet! When I picked up the boys today, I told Michael that I had received the letter with his appointment. Mavrick said "what does that mean?" Michael said "it means that I'm going to get better."
While this whole disease (it is very difficult for me to say that my child has a chronic disease - and it sucks!) has taken some time to diagnose and get in to see people, in the world of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, we have been blessed and have sped through the process. Once we had a pre-diagnosis of JA, we were seeing a specialist in 8 days. Then a week later we got an appointment at TSRHC which is just a little over a month away. I have spoken to and read about children that it has taken YEARS to get an accurate diagnosis and in to Scottish Rite. So, with out doubt, we are blessed to have things moving along so quickly.
Scottish Rite is one of the top Children's Hospitals in the world. I have never met anyone who had a negative thing to say about them. And the most amazing thing is that once you are accepted, there is no charge for their services! I don't even think I can wrap my head around that yet! When I picked up the boys today, I told Michael that I had received the letter with his appointment. Mavrick said "what does that mean?" Michael said "it means that I'm going to get better."
A Busy April Saturday
Yesterday I knew was going to be busy. As soon as my feet hit the floor, which was before anyone else in the house, I was busy preparing for Major's 3rd birthday party. I can not believe that child is 3! The last 3 years have flown by. So much has changed - it's just amazing. Anyway, pick up some, set up, off to pick up balloons and a cake, then the party. It was a busy morning indeed.
Major had a wonderful party. His cousins and his neighborhood friends were all here. It cracks me up that he doesn't even realize that he is the youngest! I swear he thinks he is at least 8! He was exhausted after the party, so I got to lay down with him for a little bit while he was taking his nap.
Then it was time to take Michael and Mavrick to a friend's birthday party. The party was at the Community Activity Center in Flower Mound. They ate pizza and cake, then went swimming for about two hours. I stayed because it was Michael's first event where he was having difficulty walking. The swimming was great and felt wonderful to him. There was a moment when I could tell that he was not happy. I went and talked with him and he said that he wasn't feeling included because he was not able to do all the things the other boys could. WOW how that breaks my heart. So we talked for a while about how he will have this for the rest of his life, but he won't always feel the way he feels today. He cried a little. I cried a little.
After swimming, they went to Camden's house to spend the night. There were 7 boys in all. His mom is a brave woman! Michael had already expressed concern that he would not be able to run around like the other boys, so I pulled Mavrick aside and told him that he needed to be mindful of Michael and his inability to do all the things that he used to, right now. I asked him to encourage the other boys to do things that Michael could do. Mavrick is being such a good help to Michael. Mark and I have been so blessed to have the amazing, caring and loving children that we do! I kept my phone by me all night, just in case Michael needed me to go get him. When I woke up this morning I kind of had a proud feeling for him. I knew he was going to be exhausted, but he stuck it out. I feel like that was the first of a few social hurdles that we will face, and I think we are both glad to have it behind him.
Major had a wonderful party. His cousins and his neighborhood friends were all here. It cracks me up that he doesn't even realize that he is the youngest! I swear he thinks he is at least 8! He was exhausted after the party, so I got to lay down with him for a little bit while he was taking his nap.
Then it was time to take Michael and Mavrick to a friend's birthday party. The party was at the Community Activity Center in Flower Mound. They ate pizza and cake, then went swimming for about two hours. I stayed because it was Michael's first event where he was having difficulty walking. The swimming was great and felt wonderful to him. There was a moment when I could tell that he was not happy. I went and talked with him and he said that he wasn't feeling included because he was not able to do all the things the other boys could. WOW how that breaks my heart. So we talked for a while about how he will have this for the rest of his life, but he won't always feel the way he feels today. He cried a little. I cried a little.
After swimming, they went to Camden's house to spend the night. There were 7 boys in all. His mom is a brave woman! Michael had already expressed concern that he would not be able to run around like the other boys, so I pulled Mavrick aside and told him that he needed to be mindful of Michael and his inability to do all the things that he used to, right now. I asked him to encourage the other boys to do things that Michael could do. Mavrick is being such a good help to Michael. Mark and I have been so blessed to have the amazing, caring and loving children that we do! I kept my phone by me all night, just in case Michael needed me to go get him. When I woke up this morning I kind of had a proud feeling for him. I knew he was going to be exhausted, but he stuck it out. I feel like that was the first of a few social hurdles that we will face, and I think we are both glad to have it behind him.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
What's normal?
Maybe it is a season I am in, but I have to wonder, "What is normal?" and "Am I normal?" I think I am obsessive. I think I am in denial about several things. I think I am an exhausted mother of three wonderful boys. I think I am co-dependent. I think I love the life I have.
I was talking with my neighbor, Kelly, today and we were discussing how we are tired, and have absolutely NO motivation. We agreed that in our minds we should not be allowed to own homes or care for children. LOL! OK, so I am being a bit dramatic, but this whole adult thing is not what I thought it was going to be. Don't get me wrong. Given the opportunity, I can't think of a thing that I would really change. Well, I would probably triple Mark's salary, but other than that, I'm in a pretty good place.
What I am trying to say, I guess, is that my car has french fries in the floorboard... my house is dusty... I hate to clean toilets... There is always more than one load of laundry that needs to be cleaned... I wear my hair in a ponytail because I would rather sleep an extra 20 minutes than use the flat iron... my floors need to be mopped...I think I still have a few Christmas decorations left out...I eat like a college student...I feed my kids too many fast food meals...I spend money on wasteful things...I am so not perfect! I am not even near the person I thought I would be.
And that brings me to...Are any of us? Are any of us who we thought we would grow up to be? And is that normal? Is my idea of normal just something that the media and society helped to create? Is my idea of normal just another idea that should be put on a shelf with the airbrushed body I will never have? Or am I normal - Are we all somewhat screwed up? Did we all had these visions of perfection and have fallen short of what/who we thought we would grow up to be? Maybe we haven't fallen short, but just totally different. What is normal?
I was talking with my neighbor, Kelly, today and we were discussing how we are tired, and have absolutely NO motivation. We agreed that in our minds we should not be allowed to own homes or care for children. LOL! OK, so I am being a bit dramatic, but this whole adult thing is not what I thought it was going to be. Don't get me wrong. Given the opportunity, I can't think of a thing that I would really change. Well, I would probably triple Mark's salary, but other than that, I'm in a pretty good place.
What I am trying to say, I guess, is that my car has french fries in the floorboard... my house is dusty... I hate to clean toilets... There is always more than one load of laundry that needs to be cleaned... I wear my hair in a ponytail because I would rather sleep an extra 20 minutes than use the flat iron... my floors need to be mopped...I think I still have a few Christmas decorations left out...I eat like a college student...I feed my kids too many fast food meals...I spend money on wasteful things...I am so not perfect! I am not even near the person I thought I would be.
And that brings me to...Are any of us? Are any of us who we thought we would grow up to be? And is that normal? Is my idea of normal just something that the media and society helped to create? Is my idea of normal just another idea that should be put on a shelf with the airbrushed body I will never have? Or am I normal - Are we all somewhat screwed up? Did we all had these visions of perfection and have fallen short of what/who we thought we would grow up to be? Maybe we haven't fallen short, but just totally different. What is normal?
More "what if's"
Michael and Mavrick are going to a birthday party this weekend. Their best friend from Temple, Camden, is having a party on Saturday, and then the boys are going to spend the night at Camden's house.
It occurred to me that EVERYTHING is different from the last time they went to a party or spent the night at a friend's house. I was talking to Camden's mom on the phone tonight and asked if it would be ok if I attended the party with the boys. Really, I don't know how Michael will be feeling. What if he is in pain and is in his chair? What if he feels fine and has the chair and doesn't need it? What if he is sick from his injection? So many "what if's" I have been saying that for weeks now.
One good thing is that I really trust Camden's mom. She is a nurse, so if there were problems I know that she could handle things until I could get to him. They live with her parents in Flower Mound, so it's not like I am sending them off. All of this seems new again. WOW! So many changes.
It occurred to me that EVERYTHING is different from the last time they went to a party or spent the night at a friend's house. I was talking to Camden's mom on the phone tonight and asked if it would be ok if I attended the party with the boys. Really, I don't know how Michael will be feeling. What if he is in pain and is in his chair? What if he feels fine and has the chair and doesn't need it? What if he is sick from his injection? So many "what if's" I have been saying that for weeks now.
One good thing is that I really trust Camden's mom. She is a nurse, so if there were problems I know that she could handle things until I could get to him. They live with her parents in Flower Mound, so it's not like I am sending them off. All of this seems new again. WOW! So many changes.
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