Peace in the Chaos

Late afternoon and evening are always a hectic time. I think this is standard for any household. There have been times when I have been trying to cook dinner and Bitty Bit is literally hanging from my back pockets sobbing because she thinks I should be able to simultaneously hold her and make a three course meal instantly appear. If Morgan gets in trouble, this is usually the time it occurs because she is worn out from a long day. And sometimes I just have to kick the dogs outside or they will be too underfoot hoping I drop something in the process of making dinner.

So, on those evenings when I am making dinner, have one child hanging from my pants leg screaming, another across the kitchen island sobbing because she just got in trouble, dogs underfoot causing me to trip (thus making pants-hanging-child cry harder), and dealing with who knows what other chaos, I think, "It's enough to make a saint do tequila shots!"

Luckily, those are not every evening. There is always some chaos, but it doesn't usually all attack at once. Chris does not often walk into a house with two children sobbing (although, by that point, usually the older one would have been sent upstairs for time out) and a wife who looks just a little crazy in the eyes. (ok, maybe the wife always looks a little crazy in the eyes--but it is a good kind of crazy most days)

And usually dinner is on the table by 5:30 and we get to spend some quality, almost chaos-free, family time together. (I say almost, because anyone who has kids knows that eating dinner together is certainly not down-time for parents.)

Those crazy days, though? They do happen. Usually at the end of a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day. (if you haven't read that book, you need to!) And it is stressful. And I get frazzled.

But then, sometimes, I look out my kitchen window and see this.


And, in the midst of the chaos, I am given peace.

Some Mornings

Just start out interesting. Like, pink stamp pads being left out by Morgan and 22-month olds experimenting . . .
I hope the rest of my day is boring.

But it won't be--my friend, Michele, is leaving today (sad!) after a wonderful visit. So, all the house stuff I have been putting off needs to be done today.

Like, bathe the dogs. Kallie, who currently does not have a stick (only because she is inside), really stinks. Actually, it sounds like she is crunching on something. Maybe she snuck in a stick.

Whatcha Doing??

Twenty Nine Years

There are very few friendships that continue from childhood into adulthood. Chris and I are blessed that we each have a friendship dating back farther than our memories take us.

Michele, or Michie (me-shee) as I have called her since we were little (probably 2 or 3), grew up about 4 houses down from me. Our moms could stand in our yards and watch us walk to the other's house. I remember standing on my sidewalk, talking to Michie on the phone, looking at her standing on her driveway. We went to elementary school together, although we were seldom (if ever) in the same classroom. I moved away for several years, and then we went to high school together.

Can I just say--we were hot in high school!! (and pale, considering we were basically beach girls! also, I am glad I now know how to control my Italian eyebrows. eesh!)

After high school, we attended the same college, but didn't room together and had different majors.

Then, our lives took different paths in different states. Sometimes we play phone tag for weeks before we actually talk.

And yet, our friendship has always been one that just seems to pick up right where we left off.

I am thankful for my friend.

Boyfriends

I suspect that long before Chris and I are ready, there will be boys calling our house, or emailing, or texting, or Facebooking--whatever the mode of this generation is in a few years time. And there will be giggling, whispered conversations with Morgan or Addie's friend, as they slump down in the back seat after we pick them up from a double date.
And Chris will have to walk around the block for an hour because "that boy's arm was wrapped around her 4 times!"

Or maybe that was my dad, after my first double date, 16 years ago. Sorry, dad! (seriously, the boy barely had his arm around my shoulder)

I wouldn't doubt that history is going to repeat itself, though. Sorry, Chris.

And there will be heartbreaks. And I will hold them while they cry. And Chris will offer them a shoulder and a listening ear, all the while glad that some boy who wasn't good enough for his daughter anyway is no longer in the picture.

For now, though, love is simple. "Boyfriends" are nothing more than a person to give hugs to or play cars or race across the room with.


Although, Morgan does seem to be working on the flirtatious hair toss . . .

Daddy Daughter Dance

One of Chris' main goals as a daddy is to set a high standard for how a guy should treat his girls. He, of course, does all the gentlemanly things like pulling out chairs and opening doors, but that is not really the main thing. It is the little attentions. The special time he spends with each of us, the compliments and encouragement. Chris shows our daughters what unconditional love should be.

Hopefully, this will help our girls kick the "jerks" to the curb! (If not, there is always the whole "cleaning the guns" routine to scare them off.)


And, when the opportunity to take Morgan to a "Daddy-Daughter Dance" arose, Chris called to ask Morgan to accompany him. They dressed up and had a great time. Morgan found her best friend and spent most of the fast dances "dancing" with her, but would always come back to Chris for the slow songs.

They had a great time, and I got to laugh at the video of Morgan dancing with her friend . . .

The Bicycle Helmet Stage

Adeline loves Morgan's bike helmet. She wears it ALL the time.

To talk on the phone. The conversation there is "babble babble babble noooo! Bye!" "babble babbly babble noooo! bye!"

(This photo and all others of her with the sling are from last week--her arm is still just fine!)


To work on her photography. I mean--you never know when a branch or piece of sky might fall on your head.

To feed the horses.
I just think this photo is cute. There she is in her little stripey jammies, with crocs on her feet, and a bike helmet.
(oh, and the horse blankets are hanging on the fence b/c I wanted to air them out and hose them off.)

And of course, while eating. Bike helmets are highly important for this activity.

I would think it was just because she wanted to be like her big sister, but I actually wonder if it isn't a developmental stage. "The Bike Helmet Stage"

Because Morgan did the same thing at about the same age.

Sweet Adeline Sings Sweet Adeline

Adeline is usually pretty camera shy when it comes to singing. But, the other day we were over at a friend's house and my friend was able to capture it on camera. The little boy who pops into the screen is her son, and one of Addie's best friends.

This is one of the few times you will ever see me on camera, despite my college degree in broadcast communications. Count yourself blessed. Or cursed. Whichever--I'm good with it.

(Oh, and this isn't the real Sweet Adeline song, which is a barbershop song. She "sings" that one, too, but we haven't gotten that on on camera yet. This is Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline--we just changed the name.)

My Farm Girl Is Tough

Even when she has her arm in a sling.

Bitty Bit spent Day Two in the sling mostly back to her normal activities, although she still needed Motrin, and definitely favored that arm.

But still . . .

She played with Wicket helped keep Wick in shape by encouraging him to exercise.

Found sticks for Kallie (seriously, that is what she is doing--even Addie knows that Kallie always has a stick).
Oh, and she is wearing snowboots. Because she wanted to. (She later put on her sister's bike helmet. The girl has style, I tell you!)

and mowed the yard.

What's that you say? It's February and the grass isn't growing? Well, don't tell her. She out worked us all--with one arm tied behind her back confined to a sling.

Wednesday morning Adeline didn't seem to be favoring her arm at all--actually using her fingers and trying to push back the wrapping that kept the splint in place.

Here she is in the doctor's office with Moppy (my mom). Can I just say--my child is reading the National Geographic magazine. She is very interested in ancient Aztec culture.

Well, we get into see the pediatric orthopedist.

Me: can I look at the x-rays as well? I am just curious.
Dr: Sure.
Me: um, I am not a doctor, but I don't see a break.
Dr: I am a doctor, and I don't see a break.

Well, there was an abnormality, which, given the amount of pain she was in on Monday, might or might not have been something. But, we took the wrapping and splint off and she used her hand and arm with absolutely no hesitation and no sign of injury.

The doctor suggested keeping the splint/wrap/sling and using it if she was going to be playing outside or at any point out of my care, but he couldn't see any reason to keep it on her full time.

So, I have no idea what happened, and neither does the doctor. She may have had a break, and had a miraculous healing of sorts. She may have had something entirely different wrong with her. I don't know. But I am thankful that she is ok now.

And just because we were so happy she was ok, Moppy and I took her out for ice cream. We got ourselves some, too, just for being such a good mom and grandma.


Just to give the "busted lip" part of yesterday's post. Last week was bookended by injuries, although the arm was definitely the most traumatic. This past Saturday, Addie fell into a coffee table and put a hole clean through her lip (think she bit down at the same time. Lots of blood and some tears, no stitches or anything. She just looks like she got in a toddler fist fight over a My Little Pony or a Cars toy. The girl just had a rough week, but all turned out all right. (Still, I bet if she still had the sling on, I would be getting funny looks in the grocery store. And this is my coordinated child!)

Broken Arms and Busted Lips

also entitled Bitty Bit's Bad Week
or Things are Seldom as Bad as They Seem

but that last one is pretty long for a title. of course, no longer than "Do You Think Chris would Let me Buy a Camel?" Titles should be short and sassy. or creative. or something. Maybe I should hire a title creator. Of course, then my blog would cost me money instead of make me money. (hahaha--make me money!! I wish!!)

aaaaand, back to the dramatic topic at hand.

Babies and Bruises
(nah, not a good title)

Dr, "so, what we are going to do is create a splint and wrap it. Keep it elevated as much as possible" (with a 22 month old???) "or in the sling" (yeah, incredibly realistic!!"

Me: "um, what is wrong with her? no one told me!"

Dr: "oh! I am so sorry, I thought they told you in the ER. She has a broken ulna. A small fracture near her wrist. The bones didn't shift at all, so it should heal fine with no complications."

Me: feeling a little sick. I was glad my sister, Becky, was there, too.


Rewind to that Morning . . .

The day started out pretty normal. I had to run into town for an errand. Nothing that would seem exciting to most 22 month olds--I was having blood drawn. You would think Bitty Bit would want to get out of there fast before they stuck her arm, too! But, no. She wanted to stay--so much so that as we were walking out, she threw a tantrum. I was holding her hand when she decided to throw herself to the ground.

I felt a pop.

Then she started screaming. It was a different cry than the "I'm mad because I want them to draw my blood too and you wouldn't let me stay" that she had only moments before.

Honestly, I still didn't think that much of it. I thought maybe she had twisted her arm funny, or something. I mean, kids throw temper tantrums and toss themselves to the ground every day. Any mom who reads this has had it happen to her, and a broken arm probably never occured to her.

I realized something was truly wrong when she wouldn't use her hand at all. When any movement, no matter how slight would cause her to sob in pain again. Luckily, I was only minutes from her doctor's office and they could fit me in. They ruled out "nursemaid's elbow" (similar to dislocating the elbow--a common injury among small children when their arms are pulled at all), after much manipulating of her arm. This resulting in more sobbing and screaming from Adeline, and a lot of tears running down my own face. Not fun to hold your child down and watch someone hurt her (severely) for several minutes. Even if you know it is neccessary.

Then we were sent to the hospital. More arm manipulation as they tried to get x-rays from several different angles. This was turning into a rough day. And I had barely had anything to eat, since I had to fast for the blood work. (Luckily, Chris did come to the hospital and got us some food from the cafeteria.)


Back to the dr, where we had the conversation I told you about. All I could think was "I felt a pop. I felt my child's arm break"

It was a rough day.

But God is faithful.

The rest of the story, tomorrow. (including the busted lip part of the title)

Do You Think Chris Would Let Me Buy a Camel?

(aka Frivolous Friday, Camel Edition)

I might consider purchasing a camel that does dressage!

Due to Technical Difficulties . . .

. . . like my internet going down, plus a lot of other chaos this week, I will resume blogging on Monday. And trust me, I have some stories to tell and pictures to share!

In the meantime, if you haven't already seen this heartwarming video of a koala saved from the Australia wildfires, you need to watch. Click Here to read an article about her.



I look forward to returning to blogging next week!

Gilbert and Sullivan Would Roll . . .

On the Floor Laughing. Or maybe Just in their Graves.

I think I cried I laughed so hard.

Sir Mix a Lot's "Baby Got Back" (which is, of course, not exactly G rated) in a completely different style . . . .

Cold

It is too cold today. My friends from Florida to Vermont are all saying the same thing. "it is too cold. I didn't want to get out of bed."

But, being a good horse mom, I trudged out and gave my horses a warm breakfast--I didn't even get a warm breakfast.

And my kids got cold cereal because I forgot to restock oatmeal when I was at the store a couple days ago and we subsequently ran out. And it was too cold. No one wanted to get out of bed. So I didn't have time to cook up eggs or anything.

Really, I do love my children more than my horses. But my horses could wait until 8:00 to eat, whereas the kids had to have food before 7:00 if we wanted to make it to the bus stop on time.

Did I mention it was cold? It is only a couple minute walk to the end of our drive--but I drove.

It is cold.

What a Difference

A Day Makes A Few Hours Make


Yesterday we had a delay for weather. Specifically, for snow! And not the icy snow we had last week. This was real snow!!!

Ok, still not a lot of snow--but it was beautiful.

Lil Bit almost made a snow angel this time!

Our drive, as we were walking down to the bus stop in the morning.

Oh, look!! Kallie has a stick! Kallie always has a stick.

But the snow didn't stay long.

There was some clinging to a few branches still, but most of it had melted and was running through our field and along our drive in little streams.


Same drive, walking down to the bus stop in the afternoon.


There are a few things that never change no matter what the weather . . .

Oh, Look!! Kallie has a stick!

What I Really Did

So, my list was rather long yesterday. I got all of it, er, most of it, um . . . some of it done. And I delegated some of it out.

Addie mopped. This is why we have kids, right? So they can make sure our houses are all neat and orderly and clean. Right? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? (I just showed my age, didn't I?)

Well, it was a nice delusion while it lasted.

Addie also ran off with the towel I was using while bathing the little dogs. Wick and Lottie thought they were going to get a reprieve.

No such luck. Wicket was less than thrilled. But he smelled so much better. (He got bathed in Garnier Fructis.)


Kallie and Pi, on the other hand, did escape (for the day) getting bathed. And I am glad I didn't put the effort in. Because, sweet, loving, always-has-a-stick Kallie decided to roll in poop at the end of the day. This is not normal for her, thank goodness. She must have found a really perfect spot.

Ew.

Anyway, I am really glad I didn't waste all that energy on her yesterday, as she is going to have to have a bath today.

To-Do

So, I am still feeling under the weather. It is the cold that just won't stop. Let me rephrase--it is the cough that just won't stop. The rest of me feels just fine (finally!).

But, today I have a LOT of catching up to do. I think I put Morgan in her last clean pair of panties this morning, so there is laundry. Plus, I need to mop (again!) from all the melty snow/ice mess the dogs tracked in over the weekend. And bathe the dogs. And clean the bathrooms (cause no one wants to get in the tub after I have bathed the German shepherd). And clean out the fridge. And . . .

Well, you get the idea.

But this weekend, I came across this on a site called "Fun with Charts". It is completely cerebral and I probably only find (some of) it funny because I am married to a man with a very scientific mind--I am more philosophical by nature.

Let me tell you, if I am not really on top of things, this is what my living room would be like . . .


more music charts

My favorite part is the "unidentifiable sticky substance" that covers everything. In our house, that would be juice boxes (shzuuuuussss) mixed with bananas (neenees) and crackers (cackos). I steam clean one ottoman in particular at least a couple times a month. Add that to my to-do list today. Shampoo ottoman and living room carpet.

sigh.