My Michelle Duggar Moment

I've finally taken the time to download the pictures off my camera.

This is one excursion I've been feeling the need to share...

Remember my sister's arm? Yea, that. Well Mom and Dad got all worried (as parents do), and had her go to the urgent care to have it checked out. Though we knew there was really nothing they could do, we needed the benefit of the doubt. So Dad takes her to the doctor. I see the look in my mom's eye. She's tired.

It doesn't happen often, but when it does...

So let me set the stage. Mom's been cooking and looking after my uncle, his first wife, two of my cousins, my sister and her three kids, and me and my three kids. Full house - right?!? Yea - my kids and I slept in a tent, but that's a story for another day.

So, like I was saying... My sister and Dad are gone. My Mom's bone tired. I offer to take the kids to the park. Mom says, "Let me go with you." I tell her that will defeat the purpose of her getting a rest if she comes with.

All six of them. My three - Nine, Seven, and nearly Five. And my Sister's three: Two year old twins and a Six Month Old. I hurriedly pack a diaper bag: diapers, wipes, sunscreen, and a sippy for each of her kids. I move her three car seats to my Suburban. Fortunately, we all fit. Every seat was filled.

Also fortunate, my sister had brought along her baby's stroller and my mom had picked up a couple umbrella strollers for the twins.

I threw them in the back of the 'Burb and away we went.

We didn't have far to go. About a mile and half away is a reclaimed gravel quarry.

They put a beautiful walking trail around it. The full loop is three miles. The half loop is one and a half miles.


The kids - all of them - we troopers. Nary a fuss or crab... The little ones enjoyed the ride, and the big ones enjoyed giving the rides.


At the end - or beginning depending on which way you go - is a 'natural sculpture.' Some artist used growing trees as well as other branches to make this:

The kids had a great time running through and exploring. We bought a couple Gatorade-style drinks at the park's vending machine. The kids offered to share, and we gave some to the twins - they loved it!



I will say that I drew a lot of looks. Six kids? I'd just smile. The kids were listening and following directions. I didn't push as stroller, or nag anyone to keep up. I just enjoyed the walk and took a few pictures.

It wasn't a bad way to spend an hour and a half...

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One of my cousins is quite the adventurer. I've lost track of the cities, countries, and continents she's visited. She's always looking to try something new. At our last family reunion, we all took turns shooting a .22 rifle. This time? This time she wanted to try out my dad's bow. Before his surgery, my dad would pull back the bow 40 to 50 times a day. My cousin pulled it back about three inches. Dad helped her pull it back so she could get the feel of it.

Rather than hurt herself on the 'grown up' bow, she opted to use the one my dad got for my kids.


That's my girl practicing on the kid bow and my cousin and dad in the back ground.

Occasionally I look at all the things she's seen and done and wonder "What if?"

Most days I look around me and am pretty pleased with where I am.
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"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost."

Arthur Ashe

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It was a very good weekend. We saw plenty of family, ate a lot of wonderful food, and only had one emergency room visit.

Pictures coming shortly.

Hope you had a great weekend as well.

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My newly minted seven year old son has a question and I need help with an answer:

Does God have a mother?

He has plenty of others, but I thought I'd start with an easy one. Heh.
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So here I sit, it's nearing midnight.

Today was spent in the car. After a week of looking at homes in our new location, I am exhausted. We drove home today to a spotless house, ready to be put on the market.

Looking at homes has only made the decision more real. We are no closer to finding a home than when we left last Friday.

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Tonight I snapped at my husband, "Thanks for the help."

Sarcasm has always been my strong suit.

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I appreciate all of you sticking with me through the silence. To be honest, I barely checked my email since leaving home. My inbox overfloweth. I hesitate to add up how much time my husband and I spent in the car this week. Preliminary drive-bys were made to determine if the home was worthy of an inside visit. There are several things we don't want to waste our time with.

In our last move, I was a bit more flip about the house. We found three, I told my husband to pick whatever he wanted. I didn't care. Knowing that we are planning to be in this house for more than three years, I am putting my not-so-itty-bitty foot down.

The next couple weeks will involve finishing up some overdue projects, starting some new ones, and packing.

Oh, the packing.

But yes, I have that fancy-pants new sewing machine that I will not allow to sit idle. No sirree. I even took it with me last week and set up shop in my inlaws dining room.

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Sweet Baby A

Here in the heartland visiting my sister and her sweet new baby.

The cousins are enthralled with each other. They take turns playing with the twins and beg for turns holding their new cousin, Miss A.



Who can blame them?

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Sometimes it's the little things

"Look how low the doors are, Mom!" my boy screeched at the rest stop. Rather that tell him to stop, I make him wait so I can get a picture.



On the drive back from the inlaws, I crocheted a blanket for my new niece. Rather than just getting a picture of the blanket, I had to go for the gratuitous belly shot. Heh. It's the biggest Granny Square I've ever done.



Speaking of crocheting... Did I tell you that my sister had four weeks in the hospital? She had mom bring her stash of yarn from home...



It's hard to see but there are three blankets, a sweater, a candy corn hat, and about 20 baby hats. Some of them went to the NiCU for the itty-bitty babies.

Saturday I did a 5k with a friend. My time was 38:34 - about a 12:37 mile. Considering how long it's been since I've run, I'm pretty pleased.

Of course we had to congratulate ourselves with breakfast afterward...

Yes, that's a fried egg and sausage sandwich with a side of biscuits and gravy. Yes, it was good. Very good.



On our way out of town, I had to make a stop for the #1 thing in Isle 4.

I am a barbecue sauce snob. Fortunately my inlaws live in the midwest version of barbecue heaven. I stocked up and was amused by the sign, clearly they think barbecue sauce is #1 also.

Life is in the little things.

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Not much else. Mama and baby are doing well. As always, there is more to the story, but I'm waiting for the OK from my sister before I share it.

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I could get up, walk out the door, and no one would be any the wiser

We made it to the inlaws.

I managed to pick up two books - my time was rather limited as I was completing packing and needing to pick up the Toddler at preschool. I also packed up my 'to do' yarn projects.

At least I won't be bored.

For the most part, once we get here, I might as well leave.

My husband talks with his dad. My MIL plays with the kids.

And there I sit.

Don't feel sorry for me - oh no don't! As soon as I learned to bring plenty of projects and/or books, I'm fine with it.

It's not that the necessarily ignore me...

Well, maybe.

It's just I don't really put myself out there much.

And it works for me... My MIL gets to see the kids and I get quiet time. What more could I ask for?

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The long road home...

A hurried post, for now... There is a lot to tell, I promise.

We made it back, safe and sound, from Cabo San Lucas on Thursday afternoon. Friday was spent holding the couch in place and sweating out the last of the tequila.

I miss it already. The Sea and Ocean, the Beach, the hot days and cool evening breeze...

Today we are driving as far as my parents and staying the night We must make good time tomorrow morning, as The Boy has a birthday party to attend at one.

Tomorrow afternoon I will be thrust back into normal life - cooking, laundry, child rearing... While it was fun to have someone wait on me and have little to no responsibility, I miss my house.

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And the winner is...

Nat!

Thanks so much to everyone for playing along. There were a lot of great guesses, and I'm making a list for next time.

Nat, please send me your address, along with one color you like and one color you don't.

As for me?

I'm packing for Cabo San Lucas!

This will be the first time in three years that my husband and I have 'gotten away' - from the kids.

Whoot!

Have a great week everyone - I know I will!

Beg, Borrow, Steal.

Not really - more like bitch, moan and cajole.

I got it out of him.

I know where we're going tomorrow - and it's Good.

For those of you interested in the drawing - there's still time to guess where we're going.

If you don't want to guess, but still want to be entered - just leave a comment wishing me 'safe travels.'

FWIW - I did buy two new swimsuits for the occasion - a sensible one piece, and a much racier two piece. She wore an itsy bitsy teeney weenie, red polka dot bikini!

Tomorrow morning I'll announce the winner - and our destination...

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Just call me Ma Ingalls

Been a bit busy here...

Wednesday the kids and I made a trip to the first Farmer's Market of the year. The pickings were pretty slim due to the cool spring, but I did scare up some nice asparagus and new onions. A neighbor dropped off the fresh picked strawberries as well. Need to get some jam made this morning.



I really enjoy hanging clothes on the line. My goal is not to use the dryer until Labor Day, if not later. All those tank tops and black shorts? Training has started for the Twin Cities Marathon on October 5th.



My latest nearly done little girl dress. I ran out of binding, and need to sew it on the front. Rather than pinch the binding and hope to get both sides in one pass, I sew down the wrong side first then zig-zag on the right.



We're in the process of getting a new dishwasher. I say 'process' because there's something wrong with one of our lines and it needs to be replaced. Until that happens, I'm doing dishes by hand. No biggie except we don't have hot water in the kitchen, leaving me to heat water on the stove.

I realize I could walk up stairs, go in the bathroom, and get hot water there, but there's something oddly satisfying about heating it on the stove. And no, we're not using paper plates either.



I'd like to think I would have made a decent pioneer. Ha!

We're headed to my parents again this weekend. Last weekend was the big, blowout retirement bash for my mom. This weekend is the Indy car race in Newton. In other words, my husband and dad will play golf Saturday and go to the race Sunday. Leaving me to lay around my parents house. Sounds like a good time to me!

Have a great weekend, all. Make the most of it!



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Big wheels keep on turning

Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the southland
I miss alabamy once again
And I think its a sin, yes

Made it down to my parents. Sure, it's only three hours, but with three kids that's always an adventure.

Memorial Day weekend is spent with my parents. My husband has other plans - one of which is a now 15 year tradition.

My husband played Augusta National Golf Club yesterday. You know, where they play The Masters? Yea. There. He promised pictures - as he took my new camera with him.

This morning he was up at 4 am and on his way to Indianapolis. You know. The Indy 500... Oh, the tradition.

He lives a charmed life I tell you.

But I'm ok with it. After all, I'll spend with weekend with my doting mom. Dad will be back Sunday. He's on a walkabout in the mountains with his brother. Me? I'm banking my days. At this point, I could probably leave for a month.

I'll wait. I'll bide my time. It's coming, I tell you. It's coming. I just need something really, really good. And for my mom to retire so they can watch the kids.

Have a great weekend, all!


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I shouldn't even be here...

Today is "Pack Up Everything But the Kitchen Sink Day."

Seeing as we're going to the funeral, then on to spring break at the In Laws, I have quite a bit to pack, do, and get ready.

Trip to Target - Check


Post Office - Check


Car gassed and washed - Check





I still need to:


fold three loads of laundry


Clean out the car


Pick #1 up from school


pack two sets of bags for four people


pack up the car


pack snacks, drinks and things to occupy for the car


tidy up the house

Bah! Not enough hours.

My thinking is I'll pack one bag for the kids to share for the funeral stop and one bag for the spring break stop. Normally I pack a bag for each child, so we're cutting the bags by one and we won't have to unload the entire car each stop.

I cried a little bit last night as I picked out my funeral clothes. Dare I say it's been 'nice' to have a week between the funeral and her death? It's given me a bit of time to 'process' my feelings and thoughts.

This is going with me:

Have a pleasant weekend everyone.

I cried. A lot.

Sometimes the hardest part of the decision is making it. Friday night, my husband asked what I wanted to do about the weekend. Did I want to go down Saturday, after the kids' ice skating, or go by myself Sunday? Either way. Or did I want to go Right Now. Yes. All of the above. Someone else make the decision, the spaghetti sauce is getting watered down by my tears.

I decided to wait and check the weather Saturday. It was a no go. Blowing snow and below freezing temperatures made traveling an unnecessary risk.

Sunday morning, I started the car at 7:45 and left at 8. Had to give it time to warm up. -15 F not counting windchill (that would put it at between -40 and -30 -- I wish I was kidding).

It was a pretty day for a drive.

It gets better. Only about 10 miles of knuckle gripping drive. Mostly, I just surfed the radio stations.
Home again, home again. This is where I grew up. There is nothing quite like getting here. It's like going to another time. A time when someone else did your laundry, cooked your food, and paid the mortage. It's a beautiful thing.



My sister came up with the babies. They're getting ready to turn one. I reminded her that the weather was about the same when I made the day trip to visit her in ICU. Dangle, dangle - I held it over her head. Heh.

We visited Grandma. I cried most of the hour long visit. I'm crying right now just thinking about it. It hurts to know the end is coming, but in some ways will be a relief. She's not enjoying herself. She did love to enjoy herself... This is from her 90th birthday.


It is hard. Very hard. She lived a good life. I was able to say goodbye, hold her hand, rub her cheek, give her a kiss... Blah, blah, blah. It still sucks.

As we were heading back to my parents, my sister and I decided something. I mentioned how nice her hair looked, and asked where she had it done... Her smart reply, "My bathroom." Oh! How Nice!

What's a girl to do? I could pay someone $100 to do it, or get the $20 kit and have her do it...



Any guesses as to what we did? Mom let me borrow an old shirt.

I tell you what. We shared this bathroom growing up. It was never this harmonious. Never. Well, until I left for college...

I guess that's one way to beat stress - go Red. Yes. Red. I have never been red, but always been tempted. This fall, watch for a chestnut brown. Life's too short. You can wish in one hand, and crap in another and see which fills up first. The pictures don't do it justice. She did a fantastic job.

And then we ate. A lot. Another excellent stress beater.


The drive home sucked. I cried some more. But at least I have fabulous hair.




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Home safe and sound.

Came home yesterday after a brief delay at the airport. It wasn't much, but I had to reschedule a doctor's appointment for my youngest.

Dad left this morning to hunt up North, and Mom's going to stay for a few days.

Good thing too, because I'm sick (trying not to cough up a lung or 'blow through' tissues) and there's business to take care of here.

I'm having a hard time here - deciding whether to open up about what happened, or just leave it be. Thing is, there's only so much information you can give about your life over the computer. Will someone read this with a notion and think "Well. I'd never let that happen to my child." You'll never know by reading exactly what happened, what else was going on, what other circumstances there are.

Saturday I burned my daughter's hand. Second degree. I was ironing, she walked up and wrapped her hand under the ironing board. I hit the "steam" button and exactly the same time. Her hand is now wrapped up in a 'mitten' - first though, covered in ointment, then vasaline coated gauze, then gauze separating each finger, then wrapped and wrapped again. I had to reschedule our second of what may be many doctor's appointments. The doctor was ok with the rescheduling, I had unwrapped it, put more medicine on it, and rewrapped it last night. She was impressed by my bandaging abilities.

We're headed off the burn center tomorrow to see if we can continue treatment at our current doctor's office or if they want to take the case.

I have to take my daughter to the burn center.

What lead up to it? Nothing, I just wan't paying attention. It was an accident. What else was going on? Nothing really, I was just in a hurry. My haste and inattention caused an accident.

To say I'm worried sick and beating myself up over this is an understatement.