Miss Vivian is ready to go to Colorado to baby ski school. She asked me when we are going, and my, "Not yet," answer did not satisfy her. I gave her a specific month and day, and she said, "What's that?" I replied, "It is a date." Her little face scrunched in confusion, and she asked, "Aren't I too young to go on a date?" She and I have funny little exchanges like this quite frequently. She got a new and quite gorgeous Disney Store Snow White gown from my mother for her 3rd birthday. We have been watching Superman movies on our family movie nights, and I gave her little Superman and Wonder Woman figures to play with in Henry's bat cave. She dressed herself, then asked, "Do you think Superman will think I'm so pretty?" The funny part about the dress is that her daddy helped her pick a less fancy one at Costco for Halloween. She wore it to shreds, and it was almost like a security blanket. We weren't certain she'd accept a newer model of the gown. The new dress came with a warning tag about glitter falling off of it. I'm not kidding. I'm also not even kidding that all of our barefooted kids have glitter stuck to the bottom of their feet. The girls and I have it on our scalps, and I saw a spec in Henry's ear. Robbie does not want glitter in his hair, I can tell you that for certain. I can just imagine the surprise on his patients' faces as they notice gold sparkle in the hair of their doctor as he examines their eyes.
The sweet potato latkes were loved by me, but the kids were not impressed with the fruit of all of Robbie's labor. As Robbie placed her latke, fried egg, and bacon on her plate, Vivian said, "What IS this food?" Henry asked when Robbie was going to make his good pancakes again...meaning from scratch buttermilk pancakes with 100% pure maple syrup from Michigan and berries on top. Vivian finally finished her Sunday breakfast this morning...Monday. Robbie shredded seven cups of sweet potatoes, and the kids WERE GOING TO EAT THEM.
Henry likes the Incredible Hulk, so I can usually sway him with, "Buddy, this is Hulk food," if the vegetable is green. He happily took sugar snap peas to preschool when he was snack friend, and he shared this news with his buds. Vivian isn't into it. "Viv, that's Hulk food," I told her. "I don't want to be strong as a Hulk," she stated firmly. Henry asked her if she wanted to be strong as a princess, and she didn't. Olivia asked her if she wanted to be strong as a little mouse, and we all laughed. Another interesting meal experience awaits. I spent over an hour this afternoon preparing a new Paleo recipe. Evelyn plucked cilantro off the stems, and Olivia charred two pounds of tomatillos for the Chile Verde Pork Stew. It smells amazing, BUT it is green. Hmmm...
Monday, February 18, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
"Bye-bye, you cutie." (Wink!)
The temp is 29 degrees Fahrenheit, and Robbie is out running with 9 1/2-year-old Olivia. I love how their Daddy-Daughter dates evolve. Evelyn just decided to train Henry with some workout moves, and she rewarded him with homemade ribbons constructed of yard and construction paper that read, "#1 Henry Overlease," and, "Good Job!" Vivian is in her favorite floor-length flannel Hello Kitty nightgown (which she changes into in the middle of the day right before we are supposed to leave our house), and she's playing with her castle set.
Evelyn's reading exploded this past week, so I got her seven new fairy books from the library. Olivia was into those at the same point in her life. Ev is honestly reading by the backpack load, and I love this new found literary freedom she is experiencing. I've been working with Henry to point out and teach short sight words as we read storybooks daily. He's learned quite a nice string of them, and Evelyn ran with this yesterday. She produced her old kindergarten Busy Bee Binder, and set to work with a handwritten list of sight words for her brother and a yellow highlighter as used by her teacher. She added PIZZA to Henry's word list. I love it. Olivia is a voracious reader, and she's blazing through her Battle of the Books list of 20+ titles for an upcoming team competition. While in the van with the family she said, "What's cat piss?" Robbie and I exchanged looks, and he said, "What book are you reading?" I knew it was The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. We explained that the word about which she inquired, which I spelled back to her, is a slang bad word for urine. Robbie wanted additional information about the context in which the phrase was used. In the book a granddaddy said this to a young girl, and Olivia read it aloud..."I have managed to take perfectly good pecans and ferment them into something approximating cat piss." Obviously, Robbie and I laughed out loud.
After passing through my initial fury over Robbie's decision to eat a Paleo Diet and forego all dairy (read...CHEESE, BUTTER, MILK, YOGURT!!!), beans (which I love) and legumes (No peanuts? Really? Sweet peas and beans are bad?), and grains (no rice, bread, pasta, etc., etc.) I am pleased to share that I am in a better place about it. Robbie bought me three Paleo cookbooks, and we are working together to figure out the new contents of his lunchbox and our family dinners. On that note, last night after mass we went to a health food store. All six of us shopped, and the place was busy for a Saturday night. Henry had his own small cart, and he was thrilled to load it with fruit and nuts. At one point I left the group to go for some carrots, and I happened to look over my shoulder as Henry was sprinting towards me up the frozen foods aisle. Unfortunately, he was racing to catch his runaway cart!! I've never seen a cart roll so fast in a grocery store in my life, and I'm lucky it was pint sized. I'd love to view the surveillance footage of that scene as I turned and caught it just in the nick of time before it bowled me over. I'm certain it would go viral on YouTube. We had a serious discussion about his use of little carts. Vivian has learned to wink, and she made friends in the checkout lane with a rather effeminate Asian male. She winked at him, and got a big smile and chuckle. As we left the register, she said in a slow and flirty voice, "Bye-bye, you cutie (wink!)," and the kids and I roared.
Vivian turned three on the 8th, and I made her the much requested for many months...pink Hello Kitty cake. I researched decorated cake images and pink cake recipes. I ended up with a delicious pink strawberry cake with pink strawberry frosting and buttercream marshmallow white icing for Hello Kitty's star piped 3D face. Hello Kitty had a hair bow made of pink marshmallow hearts. Vivian asked to help me bake the cake. Henry assisted, and we had a great time in our aprons. However, once the pink cake was cooling, Vivian appeared and said, "Henry says my cake tastes GOOOODD!!" I ran to the kitchen and discovered that my son had taken a couple of handfuls of cake out of the edges of one of my cake layers. I was furious with him. He was sent to a lengthy timeout and ended up falling asleep for three hours. That part was good. Vivian and our guests loved her birthday cake, and Robbie ate some too.
For all of Henry's typical little boy antics, he is really a darling and loving child. I asked him one morning if he wanted to make up a gym class. "No, I want to stay here close to you." I said, "You are a funny little guy." He told me, "You are a sweet, precious, little mama." He just walked into the room where I'm writing this in my big fleece robe, bed head, and glasses and said, "You are soooo pretty." I suppose love is blind. On Valentine's Day I said to Vivian, "I love being your mommy." "I love being your baby," was her sweet reply.
I hear my sweet husband upstairs, back from his run, and his plan is to make sweet potato latkes and try to pass them off as "pancakes" this morning. The time he made sweet potato pancakes with almond butter and coconut milk, Olivia entered the kitchen and asked if he was putting squash in our breakfast pancakes. It was pretty funny. The kids are trying to get used to our carb-free weekend breakfasts and dinners too. Change is a process.
Evelyn's reading exploded this past week, so I got her seven new fairy books from the library. Olivia was into those at the same point in her life. Ev is honestly reading by the backpack load, and I love this new found literary freedom she is experiencing. I've been working with Henry to point out and teach short sight words as we read storybooks daily. He's learned quite a nice string of them, and Evelyn ran with this yesterday. She produced her old kindergarten Busy Bee Binder, and set to work with a handwritten list of sight words for her brother and a yellow highlighter as used by her teacher. She added PIZZA to Henry's word list. I love it. Olivia is a voracious reader, and she's blazing through her Battle of the Books list of 20+ titles for an upcoming team competition. While in the van with the family she said, "What's cat piss?" Robbie and I exchanged looks, and he said, "What book are you reading?" I knew it was The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. We explained that the word about which she inquired, which I spelled back to her, is a slang bad word for urine. Robbie wanted additional information about the context in which the phrase was used. In the book a granddaddy said this to a young girl, and Olivia read it aloud..."I have managed to take perfectly good pecans and ferment them into something approximating cat piss." Obviously, Robbie and I laughed out loud.
After passing through my initial fury over Robbie's decision to eat a Paleo Diet and forego all dairy (read...CHEESE, BUTTER, MILK, YOGURT!!!), beans (which I love) and legumes (No peanuts? Really? Sweet peas and beans are bad?), and grains (no rice, bread, pasta, etc., etc.) I am pleased to share that I am in a better place about it. Robbie bought me three Paleo cookbooks, and we are working together to figure out the new contents of his lunchbox and our family dinners. On that note, last night after mass we went to a health food store. All six of us shopped, and the place was busy for a Saturday night. Henry had his own small cart, and he was thrilled to load it with fruit and nuts. At one point I left the group to go for some carrots, and I happened to look over my shoulder as Henry was sprinting towards me up the frozen foods aisle. Unfortunately, he was racing to catch his runaway cart!! I've never seen a cart roll so fast in a grocery store in my life, and I'm lucky it was pint sized. I'd love to view the surveillance footage of that scene as I turned and caught it just in the nick of time before it bowled me over. I'm certain it would go viral on YouTube. We had a serious discussion about his use of little carts. Vivian has learned to wink, and she made friends in the checkout lane with a rather effeminate Asian male. She winked at him, and got a big smile and chuckle. As we left the register, she said in a slow and flirty voice, "Bye-bye, you cutie (wink!)," and the kids and I roared.
Vivian turned three on the 8th, and I made her the much requested for many months...pink Hello Kitty cake. I researched decorated cake images and pink cake recipes. I ended up with a delicious pink strawberry cake with pink strawberry frosting and buttercream marshmallow white icing for Hello Kitty's star piped 3D face. Hello Kitty had a hair bow made of pink marshmallow hearts. Vivian asked to help me bake the cake. Henry assisted, and we had a great time in our aprons. However, once the pink cake was cooling, Vivian appeared and said, "Henry says my cake tastes GOOOODD!!" I ran to the kitchen and discovered that my son had taken a couple of handfuls of cake out of the edges of one of my cake layers. I was furious with him. He was sent to a lengthy timeout and ended up falling asleep for three hours. That part was good. Vivian and our guests loved her birthday cake, and Robbie ate some too.
For all of Henry's typical little boy antics, he is really a darling and loving child. I asked him one morning if he wanted to make up a gym class. "No, I want to stay here close to you." I said, "You are a funny little guy." He told me, "You are a sweet, precious, little mama." He just walked into the room where I'm writing this in my big fleece robe, bed head, and glasses and said, "You are soooo pretty." I suppose love is blind. On Valentine's Day I said to Vivian, "I love being your mommy." "I love being your baby," was her sweet reply.
I hear my sweet husband upstairs, back from his run, and his plan is to make sweet potato latkes and try to pass them off as "pancakes" this morning. The time he made sweet potato pancakes with almond butter and coconut milk, Olivia entered the kitchen and asked if he was putting squash in our breakfast pancakes. It was pretty funny. The kids are trying to get used to our carb-free weekend breakfasts and dinners too. Change is a process.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
So Funny and Not So Funny at All
Olivia received Taylor Swift's new cd, Red, for Christmas. We're getting to know the songs, and Evelyn misunderstood some lyrics. 22 is about friends going out dancing. "I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22..." Evelyn said she thought the words went, "I'm feeling sweaty too," from all the dancing they were doing. This is our little joke when we sing the song in the van, and the kids get the giggles.
On another note that is less than humorous, I was sorting laundry in the hall this morning when I heard inside the little ones' closed bedroom, "I have to pee." I then heard Henry encourage, "Do it, Viv. Do it!" When I opened the door Vivian was naked in her crib with her legs apart. She was squatting and pee was splashing all over her sheet. I was not a calm, cool, understanding, Mother Mary version of myself. I flipped. Once I got that mess under control...laundry started, child bathed, calm discussion completed, I found a turned over sippy cup of milk in Robbie's leather chair. This makes the second milk stain caused by young Vivian, and I am not so happy about it.
When I sat down to blog this, I saw a friend had emailed a request that I send her the words to a prayer she heard me say before Christmas. I think God knew I needed to spend a few moments with those beautiful words.
On another note that is less than humorous, I was sorting laundry in the hall this morning when I heard inside the little ones' closed bedroom, "I have to pee." I then heard Henry encourage, "Do it, Viv. Do it!" When I opened the door Vivian was naked in her crib with her legs apart. She was squatting and pee was splashing all over her sheet. I was not a calm, cool, understanding, Mother Mary version of myself. I flipped. Once I got that mess under control...laundry started, child bathed, calm discussion completed, I found a turned over sippy cup of milk in Robbie's leather chair. This makes the second milk stain caused by young Vivian, and I am not so happy about it.
When I sat down to blog this, I saw a friend had emailed a request that I send her the words to a prayer she heard me say before Christmas. I think God knew I needed to spend a few moments with those beautiful words.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Henry's Favorite Gift
Before preschool I snuggled with Henry and Vivian to read from our wonderful stack of Christmas books. We read The Joy of Giving, which is a Berenstain Bears title. At the end, I asked Henry, "What is the best gift you have ever been given?" I sat there thinking, and reflected that my children top my list (Robbie too!!). Young Henry answered, "You, Mom. You are the best gift God ever gave me." Wow! I was expecting, "My Incredible Hulk costume or my big boy sized Lightning McQueen car that I can drive!!" This guy has been in a lot of trouble today. He marked on the kitchen table. He was slow to get into his gym clothes, then even slower to change into school clothes. He didn't share the couch cushion fort with Viv. He pushed the big girls' bunk beds away from the wall, and messed up Ev's carefully made bed...and on, and on, and on. However, the core of my little guy is so pure and amazing. Little boys will be active and messy, but this little boy of mine has a heart of gold, AND he loves his mama dearly. I am blessed.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
With Loving Thanks
Yesterday was a gorgeous day. I woke up knowing my children would be able to run and play outside in perfect weather. I decided to change up my strategy to include the children in preparing our Thanksgiving dinner so that each one would get some one-on-one time with me. Plus, one mama and four children over a pie crust doesn't go down too well for anyone involved. The kids seem to fight when we bake, which negates my whole intention of bringing us joyful memories! My plan worked. I started with my young son, and Henry helped roll out Emily's mom's recipe for pie crust and mixed up everything to make his pecan pie. The big girls each made one pumpkin pie from fresh pumpkins picked this fall on outings to the pumpkin patches of KC. They rolled out butter pie crusts like little baking pros. Vivian mixed up the corn bread recipe that we use for Grandma Gloria's corn bread stuffing recipe that Robbie makes each year. He tasted Viv's bread and made a hilarious exclamation that I can't publish. He liked it! All of the children were very proud of their efforts, and we had a really fun time baking together. They wore small aprons and looked so cute with hands dusted in flour. The big girls also helped me make a cranberry upside down coffee cake that we'll eat Thanksgiving morning. It is quite beautiful, and they are impressed with the invention of spring form pans.
Robbie had to work into the afternoon yesterday, and my parents were delayed traveling from Illinois due to illness. I was solo most of the day with all of the kids out of school and much work at hand. Although they played very nicely and got along fine, Henry was in wild man mode. The night before, Robbie and I talked about our goal to enjoy the children and remain mindful of the blessings they bring, even as they quarrel and make messes while we prepare our holiday feast. First off, my son exploded a bowl of flake cereal all over the dining room floor and spent an eternity sweeping the mess. Henry dumped tire mulch from the play set on Olivia's head and his own. He spit chewed orange peel into the serving pitcher of tea during their picnic...TWICE! He licked his whisk as he beat raw eggs!! He put a quarter in his mouth. The rare time that I served hot dogs, he stuffed 3/4 of one into his mouth (with bun) and tried to talk. CHOKING HAZARDS, BOY!! He couldn't get out of his PJs fast enough, because he had stuffed super hero slippers into the bottoms to resemble muscles (so he said...). He came to me with, "Mom, I couldn't get my PJs off when I had to pee." I asked, "What happened?" He said, "Pee got EVERYWHERE." He jumped on the couch. He got our 14 lb. turkey (which was luckily wrapped) and hoisted it above his head in the kitchen. He stood with his nose in the corner for ugly talk ("You don't even love me at all, Mom. You never take care of me.") and pouting about something so minor it escapes me. He played with a giant stick in the backyard, which is an Overlease No No. Henry received too many consequences over the course of the day to even name! Through much deep breathing and prayer, I managed to remain calm through all of this. It was not until past his bedtime (which resulted from extra storybooks and warm cuddles) when he filled the toothpaste tube with water that I let loose and loudly voiced my frustration. I hope this day brings a less energetic Henry. So help me God.
Olivia delighted us with her new piano piece from The Nutcracker, the main Sugar Plum Fairy song. The girls have also been singing some Christmas carols as Olivia plays piano. I love those moments. They later put on beautiful Dance with your Daddy music, wore ballet garb, and danced happily and gracefully through the living room. Evelyn crafted Thanksgiving decorations, which affords her a creative outlet. Ev's like the MacGyver of 1st graders! The girl can craft!!
Vivian has been praying in an amazingly beautiful way. I received a rosary from a friend, and she keeps asking to hold it to pray in the van. She says, "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with ME." Big brother Henry then tells her, "No, Viv. That's not right. You don't say, 'The Lord is with ME. You say, 'The Lord is with V, like in your name." Henry has trouble with the "th" blend, so I explained, "Actually, buddy, it is the Lord is with THEE. Bite your tongue when you say the "th". It means, 'The Lord is with you." This in itself is comical, of course. However, baby knows her prayer quite well. She asks for our morning drive to school standby, The St. Teresa Prayer, which I have published before. Henry asks us to pray for those in need when we hear sirens. Vivian even said a lovely unique prayer for my brother, "Dear God, please help Uncle Anthony to not be sick ANY MORE. Please make him feel well and healthy." Nice word choice, Viv! However, her most profound utterance came as we spoke of Heaven and she listened as I answered a question Henry voiced about if we get to go to our house when we die. "We don't go to our house, Henry. If we live a life of kindness and compassion, then we go home to God, and we get to be with Jesus forever." This topic was discussed during mass last weekend by Fr. Shawn, and Henry was listening. Two-year-old Vivian said, and I'll never forget it, "and God will hold us in his loving hands." That line is from a beautiful prayer we say about Trusting in God that I got from another friend.
Vivian listens to us as we pray, and our words have settled into her heart. What an amazing discovery for a mother to make, and what an incredible blessing. I wish you a very wonderful Thanksgiving. May your blessings be many.
Robbie had to work into the afternoon yesterday, and my parents were delayed traveling from Illinois due to illness. I was solo most of the day with all of the kids out of school and much work at hand. Although they played very nicely and got along fine, Henry was in wild man mode. The night before, Robbie and I talked about our goal to enjoy the children and remain mindful of the blessings they bring, even as they quarrel and make messes while we prepare our holiday feast. First off, my son exploded a bowl of flake cereal all over the dining room floor and spent an eternity sweeping the mess. Henry dumped tire mulch from the play set on Olivia's head and his own. He spit chewed orange peel into the serving pitcher of tea during their picnic...TWICE! He licked his whisk as he beat raw eggs!! He put a quarter in his mouth. The rare time that I served hot dogs, he stuffed 3/4 of one into his mouth (with bun) and tried to talk. CHOKING HAZARDS, BOY!! He couldn't get out of his PJs fast enough, because he had stuffed super hero slippers into the bottoms to resemble muscles (so he said...). He came to me with, "Mom, I couldn't get my PJs off when I had to pee." I asked, "What happened?" He said, "Pee got EVERYWHERE." He jumped on the couch. He got our 14 lb. turkey (which was luckily wrapped) and hoisted it above his head in the kitchen. He stood with his nose in the corner for ugly talk ("You don't even love me at all, Mom. You never take care of me.") and pouting about something so minor it escapes me. He played with a giant stick in the backyard, which is an Overlease No No. Henry received too many consequences over the course of the day to even name! Through much deep breathing and prayer, I managed to remain calm through all of this. It was not until past his bedtime (which resulted from extra storybooks and warm cuddles) when he filled the toothpaste tube with water that I let loose and loudly voiced my frustration. I hope this day brings a less energetic Henry. So help me God.
Olivia delighted us with her new piano piece from The Nutcracker, the main Sugar Plum Fairy song. The girls have also been singing some Christmas carols as Olivia plays piano. I love those moments. They later put on beautiful Dance with your Daddy music, wore ballet garb, and danced happily and gracefully through the living room. Evelyn crafted Thanksgiving decorations, which affords her a creative outlet. Ev's like the MacGyver of 1st graders! The girl can craft!!
Vivian has been praying in an amazingly beautiful way. I received a rosary from a friend, and she keeps asking to hold it to pray in the van. She says, "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with ME." Big brother Henry then tells her, "No, Viv. That's not right. You don't say, 'The Lord is with ME. You say, 'The Lord is with V, like in your name." Henry has trouble with the "th" blend, so I explained, "Actually, buddy, it is the Lord is with THEE. Bite your tongue when you say the "th". It means, 'The Lord is with you." This in itself is comical, of course. However, baby knows her prayer quite well. She asks for our morning drive to school standby, The St. Teresa Prayer, which I have published before. Henry asks us to pray for those in need when we hear sirens. Vivian even said a lovely unique prayer for my brother, "Dear God, please help Uncle Anthony to not be sick ANY MORE. Please make him feel well and healthy." Nice word choice, Viv! However, her most profound utterance came as we spoke of Heaven and she listened as I answered a question Henry voiced about if we get to go to our house when we die. "We don't go to our house, Henry. If we live a life of kindness and compassion, then we go home to God, and we get to be with Jesus forever." This topic was discussed during mass last weekend by Fr. Shawn, and Henry was listening. Two-year-old Vivian said, and I'll never forget it, "and God will hold us in his loving hands." That line is from a beautiful prayer we say about Trusting in God that I got from another friend.
Trust in
God - by St.
Francis de Sales
Do not
look forward to the trials and crosses of this life with dread and fear. Rather, look to them with full confidence
that, as they arise, God, to whom you belong, will deliver you from
them.
He has
guided and guarded you thus far in life.
Do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely
through all trials. Whenever you cannot
stand, He will carry you lovingly in His arms.
Do not
look forward to what may happen tomorrow.
The same
Eternal Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every
day of your life. Either He will shield
you from suffering or He will give you the unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace then and put aside all
useless thoughts, vain dreads, and anxious
imaginations.
Vivian listens to us as we pray, and our words have settled into her heart. What an amazing discovery for a mother to make, and what an incredible blessing. I wish you a very wonderful Thanksgiving. May your blessings be many.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Potties, Potties, EVERYWHERE!!
Viv still sleeps in a crib in a room with "my Henry". A few nights ago those two stripped naked before bath time, and I found them crawling around on Olivia's top bunk. I scolded them, and quick as a whip, baby Vivian flung herself over the side of the railing, lowered herself until she was hanging from the side rail with her arms straight, then dropped to the floor, and landed on her feet. Her moves were amazing! Also, dangerous, but truly amazing! Each morning she calls to me from her bed to take her to the restroom, so I just lowered her crib railing and showed her how to crawl in and out. My hope is that she will take herself potty at 6 am, rather than yell so loudly for me on a Saturday morning that she wakes five other family members. One can hope. Maybe I should pray too.
I took the youngest two to a showroom this morning. Henry spied toilets EVERYWHERE, and I could see the wheels turning. I was taking pictures of shower fixtures, and Henry was lifting toilet seats. "You can't pee in that toilet, Son." Now, I am so frequently amused by the words that I am forced to utter to my small children. Recent quotes include, "We don't throw furniture!!!!" after Henry flung a child-sized chair across the room while pretending to have super hero strength, and "You may not wield that giant piece of bark like a sword!" on the playground. Thankfully, the showroom remained clean. Nothing truly "blog worthy" as my children say, happened. In the restroom Vivian struck up a lengthy conversation with a fellow shopper. Viv said, "What's your name?" Jessica answered and returned the question. Vivian, dressed in her Halloween costume, a darling Snow White dress that her daddy bought for her, answered like a big shot, "IIII"m (pause) Snow White." I love these funny little people. I have the best job EVER.
I took the youngest two to a showroom this morning. Henry spied toilets EVERYWHERE, and I could see the wheels turning. I was taking pictures of shower fixtures, and Henry was lifting toilet seats. "You can't pee in that toilet, Son." Now, I am so frequently amused by the words that I am forced to utter to my small children. Recent quotes include, "We don't throw furniture!!!!" after Henry flung a child-sized chair across the room while pretending to have super hero strength, and "You may not wield that giant piece of bark like a sword!" on the playground. Thankfully, the showroom remained clean. Nothing truly "blog worthy" as my children say, happened. In the restroom Vivian struck up a lengthy conversation with a fellow shopper. Viv said, "What's your name?" Jessica answered and returned the question. Vivian, dressed in her Halloween costume, a darling Snow White dress that her daddy bought for her, answered like a big shot, "IIII"m (pause) Snow White." I love these funny little people. I have the best job EVER.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Strep Throat Gone Way Wrong
Life can turn on a dime.
Last Monday Olivia woke up with a sore throat and stiff neck. I acknowledged both issues, and I sent her to school. That evening, she was diagnosed with strep throat. The doctor said her lymph nodes were swollen from infection, which explained the tenderness she experienced upon moving her neck. Thursday morning, she was still complaining to the point of crying about pain moving her neck. A follow-up with the pediatrician led to a CT of her neck (with an IV for contrast). A retropharyngeal abscess was found at the base of her skull inside her neck in the area behind her throat and sinuses. She was sent to the Emergency Room for a consultation with an Ears Nose and Throat surgeon, which led to emergency surgery and hospitalization for IV antibiotics. She went from run of the mill strep throat to surgery with general anesthesia and being admitted to the hospital. She's so wise for her years. She expressed the sentiment that life was funny in that things could sure change and get serious in a hurry. The day after her discharge, she felt a little puny. I told her I'd stay home from mass with her while Daddy took Evelyn. She said, "I don't feel great, but I feel well enough to go learn about Jesus!" Be still my heart. What a little blessing of a daughter.
As we approach Thanksgiving, it is abundantly apparent that I have much for which to be thankful. Without easy access to prompt medical care for my child, my life could be much different today. During a recent scripture study gathering, one lady shared this notion. "Imagine that you wake up tomorrow with only those things for which you thanked God yesterday." The children and I discussed this after school, and Olivia decided it prudent to develop an all encompassing prayer of thanksgiving. That's not a bad idea.
During my time in the hospital with Olivia, I was so very grateful for the support I received through prayers and actions from family and friends. My dearest friend, Emily, appeared in the Radiology Department right before Olivia's CT. She took my two little ones, and she kept all three younger children for over 28 hours. I was able to focus on supporting Olivia during her time of need. Thank you, God. As Olivia would recommend, "Thank you, God, for my loving husband. Thank you for the health of my children and relatives. Thank you for every blessing in my life. Amen."
Last Monday Olivia woke up with a sore throat and stiff neck. I acknowledged both issues, and I sent her to school. That evening, she was diagnosed with strep throat. The doctor said her lymph nodes were swollen from infection, which explained the tenderness she experienced upon moving her neck. Thursday morning, she was still complaining to the point of crying about pain moving her neck. A follow-up with the pediatrician led to a CT of her neck (with an IV for contrast). A retropharyngeal abscess was found at the base of her skull inside her neck in the area behind her throat and sinuses. She was sent to the Emergency Room for a consultation with an Ears Nose and Throat surgeon, which led to emergency surgery and hospitalization for IV antibiotics. She went from run of the mill strep throat to surgery with general anesthesia and being admitted to the hospital. She's so wise for her years. She expressed the sentiment that life was funny in that things could sure change and get serious in a hurry. The day after her discharge, she felt a little puny. I told her I'd stay home from mass with her while Daddy took Evelyn. She said, "I don't feel great, but I feel well enough to go learn about Jesus!" Be still my heart. What a little blessing of a daughter.
As we approach Thanksgiving, it is abundantly apparent that I have much for which to be thankful. Without easy access to prompt medical care for my child, my life could be much different today. During a recent scripture study gathering, one lady shared this notion. "Imagine that you wake up tomorrow with only those things for which you thanked God yesterday." The children and I discussed this after school, and Olivia decided it prudent to develop an all encompassing prayer of thanksgiving. That's not a bad idea.
During my time in the hospital with Olivia, I was so very grateful for the support I received through prayers and actions from family and friends. My dearest friend, Emily, appeared in the Radiology Department right before Olivia's CT. She took my two little ones, and she kept all three younger children for over 28 hours. I was able to focus on supporting Olivia during her time of need. Thank you, God. As Olivia would recommend, "Thank you, God, for my loving husband. Thank you for the health of my children and relatives. Thank you for every blessing in my life. Amen."
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