Lost week

I basically just lost an entire week. I started feeling not-so-good on Sunday, and woke up Monday feeling pretty yucky. JR had a miserable cough on Sunday, and we had already decided that he was staying home from school. Usually when I'm sick I try to push through and let my husband go to work, but when I'm sick AND a kid is sick he's good about staying home to help. At the doctor on Monday it was determined I had the flu, and I'd be down for the bulk of the week. JR was just a bad cough and he went back to school Tuesday. I felt worse Tuesday than I did Monday, and my wonderful husband stayed home through yesterday to take care of things. It was really an awful experience, but I'm so grateful he could be here for me. I isolated myself as best as I could given the layout of our house, and I missed my kids so much. I'm still really tired and worn out, but I'm so glad to be among the living and to be able to hug my kids again!

Or not

Today is not exactly like I envisioned it, as is often the case with three children! HT has bronchitis. Because of his asthma and everything going around, the doctor is being aggressive about treating it and he's on antibiotics. I'm just glad it's nothing more serious. So the house is still a mess between caring for him and doctor appointments, but the important thing is that life is good!

Friday fun

I'm really looking forward to today...nothing on the calendar! My husband won't be home until late, like 11PM, but that's okay. I'm really hoping to get the house cleaned and disinfected. I want to kill any germs that seem to be floating around here. Lots of coughs and sniffles, but thank goodness nothing more serious, as of yet. We have a fairly relaxed weekend...no soccer games, no meetings. Tomorrow evening will be a dinner with friends, and then Sunday morning is church. I think our family definitely needs downtime right now and I'm grateful that we have some!

Running low

I'm running low these days on lots of things...groceries, patience, and energy. I've got plenty of fear though. Earlier this week we learned that a little boy in a neighboring community, a five-year-old in Kindergarten, has died from the H1N1 virus. He already had pre-existing respiratory problems and just couldn't beat the pneumonia that settled in with the virus. My heart broke for those parents, and I just couldn't help but think of my kids, especially my youngest who also is in Kindergarten and has asthma. We've learned that some of our friends have been diagnosed with H1N1. Up to this point we've been careful about germs, but I'm becoming neurotic. My wonderful husband is home sick today, but fortunately it is nothing more serious than a cold. He his not, however, nor has he ever been, a good patient. And today we got a phone call from the principal of the kids' school. JC had hit several children this morning and had found her way to the office. I think she was surprised that I wasn't angry. For one thing, I don't have the energy to be angry at her. Secondly, I'm too sad about her to be angry. She still suffered negative consequences for her actions, but I'm just feeling so lost about how to reach her and to help her understand how to be a nice person. She is going to start some counseling tomorrow and I'm hopeful that something will help her. Tonight I'm looking forward to some sleep so I can hopefully be rejuvenated for tomorrow!

All done

I have completed my 12 dozen muffins for church tomorrow. I have four different flavors (one is chocolate!) and hopefully everyone will find something they like. It really wasn't that bad because I used box mixes, but I'm still glad that it's over! Also, soccer season came to an end this morning for HT. He's assured me that he's ready to move on. JR's team lost this morning, so there is a pretty good chance that their season is over as well. We'll know for sure early this week. Tonight is a birthday dinner for a good friend, and tomorrow after Sunday school we are headed to my Dad's place at the lake. It should be a beautiful drive up there!

Cheaper by the dozen?

This weekend is our turn to provide milk and breakfast at the Sunday School program at our church. I absolutely love the children's program at church, and because of the program attendance has grown by leaps and bounds. So much so, that we are now required to provide 12 doz. food items and 2 gallons of juice or milk. I can handle the 2 gallons, but 12 doz. donuts does not really fit into my budget! So I've decided to break out the baking pans. That's right, I'm going to bake 12 dozen muffins and bread slices. For those of you that know me well, I'm sure you are having trouble reading right now through the tears of laughter that have undoubtedly formed! Cooking and baking are not exactly at the top of my talent list. I'm determined though, and the price is right! I'll let you all know how it turns out!

Braces on

JR got his braces on yesterday. He's been so excited about this. Now, he's realizing that there is some discomfort that goes along with it. I think it makes him look really grown up, although I'm not sure I'm ready for grown up yet. JC is also feeling better and is going back to school...which hopefully won't be a source for trouble this week!

Lots to tell

There has been a lot going on in our house, mostly good, some not so much. Last week was an absolutely awful week for JC. I'm not entirely sure what is going on with her right now, but the last several weeks have been rough with her. Last week was the topper, when we received a phone call three out of the five days from school regarding her behavior. Her behavior has been rough at home as well, and I'm feeling a little lost in how to deal with her, and help her through whatever is going on. But on the upside, we had a really wonderful weekend. My in-laws arrived Saturday afternoon. Yesterday we spent the entire day at my parents with extended family, and it was so much fun! My cousin has three little ones, all younger than our youngest and even with the age gaps, my kids love to see them! It was also an absolutely beautiful drive to their house. I had made the drive the week before, and sometime in the last week the leaves have really, really changed to beautiful colors! Today JC is home with the sniffles and a headache. I'm very much hoping it doesn't turn into anything worse. Another week, another opportunity for new adventures!

Changing leaves

The leaves are beginning to change around here. It's definitely been feeling like fall, but the leaves are changing about a week later than normal. It's really starting to get beautiful. Because we had a rather cool and wet summer, we are supposed to have some unbelievably beautiful color this year. I may have to break my self imposed rule and actually go take a hike!

Home alone

Today is a preview of life to come next year when my youngest starts first grade. Today he is on an all-day (or at least almost all day) field trip. I have five hours to be in the house totally by myself. Originally I had planned on a nice long nap, but thanks to yesterday's migraine, I'm not really tired anymore. I'm working instead at the computer on a paying project, and I'm lonely. Yes, I'm actually lonely. I miss my morning with my little guy. It's not like we do anything super exciting in the mornings, but I just miss having him around. The paradox of parenthood I suppose!

So proud

Last week JR worked really hard on his multiplication. He really struggled, but was very dedicated and worked so hard. On Friday after school, we had to run an errand, and when we returned home there was a phone call from his teacher. She said that he had asked so politely earlier in the day how he had done but they weren't graded. She now had them graded and he had them all correct, even the bonus! My eyes filled with tears because I was so proud and excited for him. Saturday both boys had a soccer game. JR's team played the team leading the standings and managed a 1-1 tie. All the boys, every one of them, played a great game. Yesterday, I awoke with a migraine. Thanks to the pain pills, I slept 21 out of 29 hours and didn't make it to his game. He scored his first ever soccer goal yesterday! He had been wanting it so badly and I'm glad that he could finally get one in the net. My wonderful husband said that several of the parents and even the coach were so excited for him that he finally got his goal. He had a great weekend!

A new month

October has finally arrived! I love this month! I used to think that September was my favorite month of the year, but that has definitely changed. September has turned into a very rough month in our house. It's the only month where my husband works one evening a week at the high school concession stand, spends Friday nights at high school football games, and this year he's added a grad class to the mix. And it's on top of school starting and learning new routines after being off all summer with lots of spare time on our hands! We made it through though, and October is always much less hectic. I also love the colors, smells and tastes (caramel apples!) of the fall months. To me October is a perfect month...just the right temps, and well, I could go on and on! Happy October to everyone!