Two

It is a simple number. Small, unobtrusive. I have good memories of the number two. Once there were just two of us in this family of ours. At another point, we had only two little guys sharing our space.

And then Pillbug entered the picture. "Two" took on a whole new meaning.

Two is:
the month in which we discovered a severe ear infection in her left ear.
the number of antibiotics we used to get rid of said ear infection
the number of kidneys my little girl has
the number of visits to her doctor this month to treat her tiny kidneys holding a very big infection
the number of shots of a strong antibiotic to get the infection under control
the number of antibiotics since then that she has had to take: one strong one for 10 days, another lesser, preventive one until . . .
the number of tests that need to be ran on Pillbug to see if she has something more serious going on in her urinary tract
the number of times I was peed upon in an attempt to get a urine sample to make sure the infection is gone

So, two? Doesn't seem so small anymore.

The Challenge of Vacations

We have three weeks at the end of each year for 'break.' The students are gone for winter break and the holidays are upon us. Ben took two weeks of duty this year and so our break didn't actually start until Saturday. He kicked it off with a Lord of the Rings movie marathon (extended editions) while I did some cleaning, cooking, and chatting with friends. It was a good beginning for both of us.

We rolled through a normal Sunday (church, lazy afternoon, evening together reading, etc.) and then Monday hit. We aren't supposed to have the crazy-Monday-syndrome while on vacation, you know? But, somehow we managed to do just that! After each of us taking a time out and refocusing, we came back together and made a plan for the week. I think it'll go a bit more smoothly now that our expectations are set.

Now, I'm off to look over some home school books at our church to see if I can get some ideas as to what I'll need for the upcoming year.

A New Year

2010 is here. I wonder what this year will hold. We have had a pretty crazy end to 2009. To sum it up: A significant head injury (Treefrog), bladder spasms (Fish), and a UTI that turned into a kidney infection (Pillbug). Yep, all within 5 weeks time.

I'm not necessarily one for resolutions, but there are a few things I would like to see happen this year. One, exercise more (doesn't everyone say this?!). Two, blog more. Three, make a point to play with my kids more.

There are many things that I could do better, but I would just like to focus on these three. I think keeping it simple, using broad terms, and allowing myself the freedom to shape the goals as time goes on will help make these things happen this year.

Signing off for now and hoping to be back sooner rather than later:)

Super Mom!

Not! :)

I am a bit proud of myself today. Ben is still in the middle of the August rush (my friend last night lovingly called me a Residence Life Widow!), so we are spending much of our days being - just being. Today, though, I had the kids dressed and ready to go (along with myself) by 9am. I had a date, you see. A date with the track. So, while I walked circles pushing Pillbug in the stroller, Treefrog and Fish played in the grass. It felt so good to be out. Even though my time ended when Treefrog decided to hit Fish in the head with a large rock, it was good to go. The boys had fun and I'm pretty sure Fish will sleep well this afternoon.

When I got back from the walk, I even managed to get a shower. Pillbug spent some time in the swing and the boys started outside and then moved inside to watch The Lion King. Oh the joys of juggling three children and trying to get some self-care in! I do feel so blessed by these little ones. I'm glad they are a part of my life:)

Well, Pillbug is screaming so my blogging time has come to an end. If you would like to join me tomorrow, I'll be at the track at 9am!

I'm Not Sure

I don't know if I'm back or not. My days are filled to the brim right now with this new little one who I have lovingly dubbed Pillbug for the blog-o-sphere. Pillbug turned our world upside down on June 1, a mere 34 minutes past her big brother Fish's birthday (and, incidentally, my friend J's birthday!). Since that day I have been enamored with her ways. She has a personality all her own that is really nothing like her older brothers'. Treefrog and Fish love having a baby to call their sister. And, I'm pretty sure Ben has completely lost his heart to her. My family is so sweet. I am utterly blessed by these beings in my life.

Today ended hard (my "day" is over when Ben gets home - then it is evening), so Ben escaped with the kids for a while to give me some quiet just before deciding that we needed a night out for dinner. So, in a few short minutes, I'll put away my computer and grab all the gear that we need to tote a baby girl around and we'll go somewhere that I will not have to cook the food or clean the dishes. And I will feel blessed even more to have that choice.

Tomorrow I will wake up and the laundry will still be here (oh, the cloth diapers!), the kids will still be at very different stages of needs, and Ben will still need to go to work for the day, but I will be refreshed. These few minutes of quiet (especially when paired with a dinner out!) are so rejuvenating these days. Maybe when this feeling of being refreshed isn't so illusive, I'll promise to post more often:)