Blissfully Unaware of the Chaos the Surrounds Me

Safe and Sound . . .

My boy is home, safe and sound . . . with his arm as straight as (or straighter than) it started. No pins or screws were necessary. They put him out and straightened out the bone, x-rayed and casted him. Easy, peasy! (Compared to how it could have gone.) His new-fangled cast is great. It looks more like a brace than a cast and is even adjustable if he starts to swell up these first couple of days. 

He's laying low. Rumor has it, Papa is on his way over with ice cream. We'll add a milkshake to his post-op snack of mashed potatoes. He'd like a steak or a burger, but I'm thinking that should wait for a bit. Potential nausea, pain meds and watching the Titanic might be too much for one afternoon. (Depressing, aren't we?)

Needless to say, I am grateful that the surgery is behind him. His pain seems manageable. We'll take some time this weekend to get him caught up on the schoolwork he's missed and then hopefully, we'll have a somewhat normal couple of weeks. (Please?)

Healing, rest, gratitude, relief ... thankfulness.

Crazy Insomnia and Yep, and Still Tired . . .

This tiredness has to end. I'm feeling a severe case of the ugly-crazy coming on. I pulled a rookie move last night and thought that I was too tired to need my almost- nightly dose of Ativan to sleep. Lame. I should know better. I slept from 10:30 until about 2:00 am. And then was up until 5:30 am. It wasn't pretty. 

The good news? I finished Moloka'i during those wee hours and was really impressed with the book as a whole. It may be one of my favorite book club picks thus far. 

The bad news? I felt like I was struggling to wake up. All. Day. Long. 

But as for the moment? Both of my kiddos are in bed. Halle is long-since asleep. Dylan is in bed and I am hoping that he gets decent rest tonight. He's very nervous about his surgery tomorrow. Which has been moved to 12:30 in the afternoon. Which stinks for a multitude of reasons. But anyway . . . hoping and praying for an easy procedure with no complications.

John is finishing a few things and then he'll also head to bed. As for me? I am here. In bed. Exhausted. And typing with one eye open and squinting at the screen. Which means that it is (beyond) time for me to go to bed.

How was that for a pathetic and whiney blog post? Good night and here's to tomorrow! Prayers for my boy are always appreciated!

It's Monday, For Sure . . .

We didn't get a whole lot of sleep last night. Dylan was very uncomfortable. Which means that I didn't sleep a whole lot. Because Dylan slept in our room. John slept in Dylan's room. Halle slept in her room  . . . but she was up at 6:00. (What's up with the early rising this week, anyway?) Considering that I didn't really medicate Dylan until 2:30? We are all tired. Just really tired.

At our orthopedic appointment today, they recommended that Dylan go into surgery to correct the break. They would have taken him in this afternoon, but I fed him at 10:00 am. (Whoops.) They looked at the x-ray and their next question was, "when was the last time you're eaten?" and I thought, "oh, crap". The idea of surgery wasn't even mentioned at our clinic visit last night. So I was surprised. (As was John, who is usually three steps ahead of all of us in these types of situations!) Since he had eaten at 10:00 and their last surgical slot was at 4:00, he didn't meet that 8 hour "no food per mouth" requirement for anesthesia. So Wednesday it is. Wednesday at 7:30 am to be exact.

Ugh. Y'all know about my issues/fear of anesthesia. Add into it my fear issues with protecting my kids? Double ugh. Needless to say, I'll be praying a lot this week. (I actually am assured that he will be fine.)

I've cancelled my travel plans for work this week. John is trying to re-schedule his military commitment for this weekend. I've let Dylan's teachers know that he'll be out for most of the week.

Amazing how quickly we re-prioritize.

(Excellent bagging job by John. Lots of plastic and tape. So glad that they will be putting a water-proof cast on him. Showers are good. Remember that.)

Praying for our boy. Praying that we all get rest. Praying that this week all comes together and I can get my work done and Dylan doesn't get too far behind and John manages and Halle just keeps on trucking. Or something like that. Amen.

Spoke Too Soon . . .

Our weekend wasn't quite wrapped up. At 8:00 pm we got the call that Dylan had fallen back on his wrist during BBall practice and that they were bringing him down (from Paradise) because they thought it might be broken. I talked to a Mom-friend-the-Coach's-wife, who talked to her Mom-friend that was actually transporting our son and relayed information to John as I heard it. He went out to meet them on the road and to take Dylan into Prompt Care.

I put Halle to bed and then called on the lovely Mindy F. to have her come stay with Halle. By the time I got to the clinic? They were splinting him! It pays off that John works per diem in a lot of these locations! He definitely fractured his left radius. His wrist and hand are immensely swollen. We'll see the orthopedist tomorrow or the next day and get him casted.

Ugh.

It isn't a big deal in the larger scheme of things. It wasn't a head injury. It's not his writing hand. It's not his leg (crutches are such a pain). And he'll heal. But he won't be playing AAU basketball. Which is a bummer. 

Ah, buddy . . . I'm sorry. It's easier to handle this now than when you were only two. But it's still hard to see you in pain. 

Weekend Wrap-Up . . .

so our full-of-fun stuff weekend is almost over and all I want? Is to go to bed! I am so stinkin' tired. Next year I really, really need to ship my early-waking child off to a sleepover on the night of the auction. Because when I go to bed after 1:30? 6:00 am was way to early to peel open my eyelids!

All in all, the weekend was good. Had dinner at my Mom's on Friday. That was interesting. Set-up for the auction yesterday morning. Had a couple of play-dates along the way. John and I headed out the auction last night and had a blast. We drank a little too much and therefore spent a little too much. Like usual.

Today we laid low. Ran a few errands. Did a few projects around the house and yard. Watched some movies via the Roku which John hooked up this morning. Did laundry (like always). Played Barbies. Did art. And not much more than that. Because we are all tired. Tired with a capital T!

Bring on the bedtime, please!

Friday Phone Dump . . .

Ahhh . . . Friday is here! And that is a good thing. A very, very good thing! Dylan is home with a sinus thing. An allergy-induced sinus infection, most-likely. Halle is home because she's always home on Fridays. John is off doing some flex-time stuff at the college. And I am alternately blogging, drawing My Little Ponies for Halle to color and obsessively looking for a smoking vacation deal for John and I. I'm all over the board, aren't I?

This weekend is somewhat easy, schedule-wise. We're having dinner at my Mom's tonight. We have our school auction tomorrow night and I'm having wine with a couple of girlfriends on Sunday night. I'll help to set-up the auction in the morning. Halle has a couple of playdates scheduled. Dylan will have AAU practice on Sunday afternoon. Add in church, a couple of family walks and planting some flowers? I guess it's going to be busy, but the good kind of busy!

And now, looking back for a moment or two . . . Friday Phone Dump!

Now bring on the weekend! Bring on the good-kinda busy!

Lenten Meanderings . . .

I came to my faith through a series of non-denominational churches. (Lost my faith there a time or two . . . but that's different blog post!) As such, I was not familiar with the traditional lent celebrations until more recently. Even now, in our Presbyterian church home, there is a wide variety of Lent observance. 

I have been praying and really trying to find what God would have me give up to focus more on Him during this season. I've come up with lots of options, but nothing that really jumps out to me as a sacrifice that will turn me towards Him. So I've decided that a different tactic is in order this year.

Instead of finding something to give up, I'm going to commit to adding or maintaining certain things to my daily life that help me to look towards Him . . . and towards the miracle of Easter.

Over the next 40 days, I am committed to:

1. Moving more and eating less. 

2. Measuring my words more carefully. 

3. Saving more and spending less.

4. Praying more.

5. Giving more. More grace. More resources to those in need. More kindness. More love.

I am certain, even if the historical church doesn't agree, that by doing these things? I will be more prepared for the miracle that is Easter. I feel more assured about this decision than I did with any of the items/habits/things that I considered giving up.

I really feel like I'm reducing my own life's pollution by committing to these five items. Without the smog, I will see Him more clearly.

And isn't that what Lent represents at the core? A heightened awareness of the glory that is spring, new life and ultimately, the resurrection?

 

Fresh Beat Band . . .

live was an amazing show. Yes, I am publicly admitting that I loved a live event geared 100% towards preschoolers! Why? Because of the overwhelming excitement and joy that Halle experienced.

At the beginning of every single song, she would turn to us and say, "I know this song!" She would then hit the aisle (right next to our box seats) and start dancing. At one point, she was on the ground break-dancing. Seriously. When one of the band members (Shout), came running down the aisle and touched her shoulder, I actually thought that she might swoon!

Utter and complete joy. And isn't that the best kind of boost you can receive as a parent?

Her Rockstar jacket was coveted by many. I think we could have sold it off her back for several hundred dollars. But she wasn't letting that happen. Heck no! That was her Rockstar jacket . . . her custom Rockstar jacket, nonetheless . . . back off, lookers! (I cannot thank Shannon's mom enough. What an amazing gift!) As an aside/pat-on-my-own back? I couldn't ever find the perfect "Kiki" shirt according to Halle's impossible standards. So I ended up cutting the polka-dotted sleeves off of one (perfectly good) shirt and hand-stitching them onto another (perfectly good) striped shirt, while John drove us to Modesto. Don't say I never did anything for you, sister . . . 

To top off the concert? Our visit with Lauren and Bobby. And their two puppies, Kody and Isla. Holy cats, did Halle ever think they were the coolest! She has their next visit to Chico all planned out. And it basically consists of Kody and Isla coming to stay with us. The end. She cried about leaving the dogs. So hurry to Chico, Lauren and Bobby!

While there, Bobby intrigued me with his fancy Apple TV. (Of course, this was after I already purchased the Roku for John's birthday. It would be ridiculous to have both. Right?) What really got my attention was the ability to stream directly from your Apple devices. Like all the little video bits on my iPhone. Right up there on the big TV. Tempting, for sure!

Also on our way home? We were able to meet up with my life-long friend, Mel and his lady-friend, Pam. Pam, by the way? Completely delightful. She makes him happy. And that is all we ever wanted for him! Someone who makes him happy. Simple, isn't it?

Needless to say? I am very glad that I bought those tickets for Halle's Christmas gift. She may not remember how excited she was when she's older, but I have this blog to remind her. And some photos. And some video clips. Now if only I had Apple TV . . . I could show her so easily! Halle's exact words at the end of the concert? "Best Christmas gift EVER!"

Random and Scattered . . .

so all-over-the-board!

First and foremost, The Fresh Beat Band was amazing. Amaze-balls! And it totally deserves a post of it's own. Tomorrow.

 

Getting to spend time with Lauren and Prince Bobby? Beyond fabulous. Their home is adorable. Their puppies are adorable. And it felt so very good to enjoy their company.

Coming home from our our trip? I got the call that my Gram had a likely GI bleed. So I went straight from Fresh Beat Band!!!/Lauren and Prince Bobby!!!!! to oh-shit-I'm not-ready-for-this-please-Jesus-give-us-more-time and then, thankfully, to relief that yes, this time, we found respite and yes, a little more time.

GG is currently recovering at our local hospital and should, bearing any bad news, be headed home tomorrow. A couple of units transfused, an ulcer clipped and an awfully lot of talk about bloody stool . . . and she should be back where she started. With a little more of me being a lot farther up in her business about medications, doctor's visits, etc. 

John's birthday was lots of fun. We started with breakfast out, then a family-chiropractic appointment, a visit with GG at the hospital and then (blessedly!!) home for the rest of the day. John  got a little nap in and then we met up with some great friends for a fabulous dinner at 5th Street. Our sweet friends even chipped in and bought our dinners. How cool is that? The only sad thing? I didn't take a single photo until the guys were changing a tire (A &E's) just prior to us heading home. And the guys were acting like high school idiots and made all of my photos look like low-dollar porn. So no posting of those lovelies!

John received a Roku (from Dylan), some Amazon credit (from Halle) and from me? He got five gift choices. All he had were hints on five sealed envelopes. It took him 16 hours to finally choose! Ultimately, he choose Option #2. Hello, weekend Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay! (Hello, Shannon! I need a favor!)

Today, we continued our lazy-catching up-cleaning up mojo. Man, I love a holiday weekend! I cleaned 2/3 of Halle's room. I organized Dylan's drawers. I did laundry. I visited GG a couple of times. I went to Target. I snuggled my kiddos. And my hubby. It was good. Really, really good!

Tomorrow, we will go to church. Monday? No plans. NO PLANS! That is some kind of good stuff, peeps. NO PLANS! Happy Presidents' Weekend!

Valentine's Day . . .

was a bit over-the-top around here. I'm not quite certain why we all went a little crazy, but it was sweet. If just a bit ridiculous!

John was very sweet and hacked into my Pinterest boards and bought me a custom fingerprint necklace. Very sweet and touching! My gifts to him were all over the board. Books, wine and towels. Weird combo, yes? Dylan got his Mythbuster's bobbleheads that he's been wanting ever since we say them live last month. And candy, of course. Sister got a purse and all sorts of jewelry, including two very sweet necklaces from her brother. And candy, lest she be left out of the sugar-overload.

We hung out, ate yummy nachos for dinner and had ridiculous ice cream sundaes for dessert. It was exactly where we wanted to be!

And now, we are headed out to go see THE FRESH BEAT BAND!  Whooooooohooooooo. Pictures and a report on that big fun tomorrow. Get your rockstar jacket on . . . everybody sing along . . .