Summer 2009, no wait 2010

Things are changing fast, my kids are growing up and I can't slow it down, I can't slow life down although I would love to. It is nearing the end of the summer and I just can't seem to understand that it is even 2010. I have problems getting the year right almost weekly, and I feel like a dog chasing my tail! Grant has lost his gummy grin, he has three bottom teeth and is sitting up on his own. He is just about to crawl, gets up and wants to go just can't find the rhythm to get going. Havely just keeps growing taller and daily comes up with sayings that crack me up. We recently took our annual (and probably last) family trip to Wyoming. This trip excites me so much every year, it is a chance to escape the heat and hustle of San Antonio and we get to see family and catch up. We began this trip in Alpine as usual and this year we had a lunch party and played some family survivor. Our family is extremely competitive so any games and sporting always proves to be entertaining. That evening we just spent time with my grandparents and relaxed and enjoyed the mountain air. I love just taking it all in and allowing my roots to soak up what they need. The next day we headed into SLC to have a relaxing lunch party with the Walkenhorst clan. I miss being able to see everyone more and this time always goes by too quickly. We spent the remainder of the week in Green River and took time laying on the grass under a cloudless blue sky. Havely got to go riding a couple of times and has become quite the little cowgirl. This size of the horses doesn't threaten her at all and she takes the reins with forces and lets Clyde know who is the boss, all 34 pounds of her! Overall it was a great vacation and went by quickly, but was just about perfect. We headed home after 8 days and I don't think I have ever been so happy to get home. I love our life and our home here. Even Havely was excited to go to bed in her polka pot room. It is good to get a break from everyday life, but it is even better to have an everyday life that you love so much you are happy to come home. Life in Texas is good. 08.30.10

Children seldom misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.

What a day for the Thomas Troop!!! We started off the day with Havely and I enjoying our cheerios together while Grant was still sleeping. We watched phineas and ferb on the disney channel and discussed the things in life that are important to a four year old. She wanted to know why for her fifth birthday party we couldn't build a roller coaster in the backyard like they do on TV, my explanation clearly wasn't good enough because the, "but why's" kept coming. Jaaron got home from work and Grant woke up and Havely and I kicked into high gear to get ready for the birthday party we were attending the morning at a local farm. I kissed my boys goodbye and we headed out the door, ready for some play with some petting zoo type animals. The farm was only 15 minutes from the house and by time we arrived the thermometer on my navigation system reported that it was a lovely 94 degrees already, awesome. We got out of the car and approached the party (we were late so of course things were already in full swing), and we had a glass of lemonade from some mason jars before the announcement came that it was time to embark upon the animals. As we got closer to the managerie of smelly mammals, Havely clung tighter to my side. She had made up her mind all of a sudden that she was scared and spent most of the "animal time" playing with the farm yard yellow lab with a stick, because of course it isn't like we do this at home all the time with a different lab and a tennis ball. Finally I get her to approach a Llama and pet it, mind you there is only an inch of this sucker that isn't covered in burs, so we pick that spot and scratch. She decides hey maybe they aren't all that bad and lets down her guard and takes turns petting various animals. After all the excitement we eat, open presents, and then the grand finale is the giant bull that all the kids get to take their picture on. This thing is HUGE. Everyone is waiting in line and we are all sweating like crazy. One of the horses we parked right by the picnic table that some of the kids were waiting at and decided that he was going to relieve himself. So the waterfall comes down and is splashing all over the kids and I quickly grab my child and the little man closest to her and rush them out of the way, whew crisis averted. Just when I think we are in the clear, Havely's new pooch pal saunders over behind the horse and the horse gives him a quick gut check with his hind hoof. The dog yelps and Havely looks at me and I can tell she is upset by all this. Then I see the I am going to make a statement look on her face and she says to me very loudly, "Mom, that horse is an asshole, isn't he?!" I just said yes he is Have, and we don't say that word...
We came home and immediately hit the showers, crazy dirty from the farm and very sleepy from being out in the sun for two plus hours, we decided that a nap was in order. The boys apparently had the same idea, so Jaaron put Grant down, I climbed into my bed with Havely and Jaaron crashed on the couch, these are the best Saturday afternoons! 08.07.10

Despicable Me, Good day

Havely has been dying to see the movie Despicable Me. They began playing the previews for this movie back in January and the movie was just released in July so we have been hearing about it for months. We enlisted Wa Wa as the babysitter for Grant and took Havely on a date. We went to lunch first and then filled mom's purse with some candy to sneak into the theater. As we sat in the theater and waited for the movie to begin I listened to Havely tell me these elaborate stories about how bad she has wanted to see this movie and how much her life will be better after seeing it. Oh the drama, cracks me up. Jaaron sweeps in right as the previews are beginning with a bucket of popcorn and a vat of soda, enough to feed a family of 8 basically. Finally after about 6 previews the movie begins. From the beginning this movie was great. I enjoyed every minute of it, but the movie was not the only thing I enjoyed for those two hours. The theater was filled with people of all ages. There were several families and there was even a couple there in their late 70's. The movie had so many great moments, and I loved listening to Havely's reaction as well as all the people around me. In a world where so many things are turning sour and kids are in such a hurry to grow up; it was refreshing to sit in a crowd of people and be entertained and enjoy some good clean family fun. 07.31.10

Melt my heart moment

This weekend Jaaron was on shift and I was hanging with the two cutest kids in the world. We were having a lazy day and all three of us were in our pajamas, Grant was on the blanket on the floor and Havely was playing with him, while I enjoyed my coffee on the couch. Havely would get down on the ground and play with his legs and arms and tickle him and he would let out his laughs and baby squeals that I love so much. I listened with my heart full of smiles as the two of them interacted and giggled together. She would jump up and run around him and he would watch her every move, and then she would plop down beside him again and they would laugh together. It has been so exciting watching them develop their relationship and seeing it grow daily. He is in love with his sister and smiles whenever he sees her. She loves to play with him and gets as much joy from his reaction as I do. Anyway, after about 20 minutes of playing and interacting, Havely is back on the floor beside him again and gets above him and her face is right by his and she looks him in the eyes and says, "I love you so much." It was the best feeling I have ever had and one of the sweetest things I have heard. I am so excited to watch my kids grow together and develop a bond as siblings. These are the moments that make it all worth it, I love being a mom. 07.30.10

Just because you can't keep up, life doesn't stop...

What a month. We have had some serious tests of strength this month, from unexpected incidents with cars and water heaters, to sick kids and sick parents. Yesterday I was going through my schedule from last year, and noticed that every Friday in the month of June I had lunch with Ali, seems so weird that it was a year ago because I treasure it so much. This morning I woke up to the oohs and ahhs of a little boy playing with his toes and greeting the morning. Very sleepily I walked over and picked him up and put him in bed with us so that we could get to the point of alertness that he was at. He was all smiles and so were we, apparently even at 7 am happiness from a 5 month old is contagious. Five months-where did the time go? He looked so big lying there on my pillow. He is almost 16 pounds now, and there is no end in sight to this kids growth. He is almost sitting on his own, in fact he HATES to lay down. He is no longer an infant, crazy. Havely is also changing so quickly. She is so smart and so quick and one of the funniest people I know. Just the other night she got into it with Jaaron and when he had the last word, she turned to him and said, "you just broke my heart dad, you took my heart and you just broke it." Take that-how do you compete with that??? One of these days you will hear about Havely Mae the Oscar winner. I feel like I just turn my head quickly and when I turn back they have achieved a new milestone, I am not doing well with this whole getting older crap.

The Variety of my Vestibule

I love my entryway. When I walked into the door of this house for the first time, it just made me smile and I knew that this large entrance would welcome me for the rest of my life. I once heard a neighbor say that the size of my foyer was a waste of space. I must have misunderstood her, because this waste of space has become many things to the Thomas Troop.
It is a fantastic dance floor.
Many times we have turned the music up and danced wildly. Everyone joins in, Havely, Jaaron the dogs and my sisters have all done the cha cha slide, made up our own moves to it's oh so quiet, and just twirled up and down the floor to many other melodies. In fact today I danced alone with my son, the house was quiet and it was just the two of us. He is not feeling well today and the rythm of my footsteps across the cold tile floor, calmed him down enough to allow him to fall fast asleep on my shoulder...
It is a motor speedway.
We have raced all sorts of cars from end to end. Havely has raced around in her walker just getting her footing going, and now she gets in the pink jeep and has her Opa push her faster and faster while he makes engine noises for her. She throws her head back in laughter and commands him to do it again and again, and of course he complies with each request. Several Lightening McQueens have raced up and back (of course only Havely gets to be him, we all have to be the rest of the cast of cars). With a boy coming up in the ranks, I am sure there will be many more races that will commence here as well.
It is the home to Thomas field.
We have played several sports here. Soccer, football, catch with the dog (poor lamp took one for the team), and some track and field events even. I have watched a little girl go from carrying a pink soccer ball around on it, to kicking it from one end to the other and being able to run and chase it. I am sure that there will be tournaments and games played on this very court over the years and unfortunately I am sure that the lamp will not be the only casualty.
When I come home at the end of the day, I walk up my porch steps to a glass door that frames this entry way perfectly. This view is perfection. Sometimes I am greeted by a red and yellow dog, sometimes a little blond in pigtails, or a husband with a "I am glad you are home" look on his face. This entry is anything but a waste of space and I can't wait to see what else it will be transformed into over the years to come, and I will treasure each memory that comes along with it. 06.13.2010

Fall seven times, stand up eight.

This is the motto of my week. Everytime I felt like a was gaining ground the rug was completely ripped out from under my heels and I fell flat, only to know that the only choice I had was to stand back up and chance it happening yet again, and it did several times.
Enter Monday morning, oh let's start this day at say...2:00 am?? Yup, 2 am is a fine time to begin a monday everyone hates them anyway so let's make this one a real doozy. Dead tired I drag myself out of my nice soft bed after pushing a spoiled cat to the side and almost stepping on the chest of the dog next to the bed, and I slowly make my way into the kitchen to make another bottle for the boy who is determined to break me down by sleep depriving me. I swear this kid works for the CIA or some other high level government agency. So I shuffle to the kitchen like an 80 year old lady and on the way dodge a few dinosaurs and cars that my other CIA agent strategically placed to trip me up, and mix up a bottle. Feed the boy, turn off the ranting Nancy Grace (can't stand her, but she is the only non-infomercial show at this time of day**and being this sleep deprived i would probably order at least 27 sham-wow's) and head back to bed. Ah sleep at last, out cold. Next scene is me still sleeping and my little guy with eyes wide open ready to take on the day. He is just talking and laughing, which is usually really cute, but at this moment--not so much. So again I begin my twilight obstacle course, cat off, jump dog, dodge toys, zap bottle, back through dinosaur mine field and retrieve boy. I go to feed him and he rejects me like Tim Duncan does to Kry Baby Bryant. He just wants my company and wants to give me the 411 on the happenings of being a baby. Again not that cute right now. This goes on until the alarm in my bedroom, next to my peacefully sleeping critters and my day is on. I put Grant outside my bedroom door and talk to him while I get ready for the day's events. I tell him about make-up products and why I am doing my hair curly for the 16th day in a row (humidity rocks), I mean if he can tell me all about his stuff, he can surely take a turn and listen to me now right? I am somewhat ready and I run upstairs and wake sleeping beauty and get her downstairs while she tells me how mean I am for waking her up (everyday routine). Make some coffee (survival tool) put the bags in the car, grabs the kids and out the door we go-6:50 am. Put two kids in car seats and plant my mommy ass in mine and turn the key and nothing. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? My car is three years old and it is a luxury car, this shit is NOT supposed to happen. I try again-FAIL. Again, again, again--no response. I feel like those nurses in the drama shows**CLEAR** nothiing "Charge to 1300"**CLEAR!!!***
Ok kids out of car, back in the house. Call Lexus-demand someone get here soon to help, she tells me that I am in luck, it will only be anywhere from 60-90 minutes for someone to show up, well lucky me. I call work and they are certainly not happy, at this point my boss has even offered to come and take me to work. Grant is getting pissed now-he has decided he is tired and hungry-perfect. Havely is watching the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while sitting in a lego wagon asking me when I am going to get her vitamins for her. Finally someone calls me from the "wrecking" company, and I frantically look around for a simple pen and paper to write down the important information the man has for me. Just in time I spy a dry erase marker on Havely's Cars table and quickly sweep away the disney tea set and chapsticks to make room for mommy's doodles. By this point I am stressed to the max. I just can't understand why it won't start. So I go back out and give it one more try and **WHALAA** it turns on!!! Run into the house, grab the baby, back in the carrier, turn off mickey mouse (someone is really mad because I killed the story and she still has not gotten her vitamins) and out the door we go again. Kids in car and down the road we go. Big sigh of relief-whew...it is only 7:30 and I won't be that late if I hurry. Call the dealership on my way to work and they set up a service appointment at 11:30, with a loaner car in reserve. Perfect, I will finish my morning and then meet my husband for lunch and get my loaner and everything will work out. I finally get to the dealership at noon, no husband he is running behind too, then the rug, remember the rug-big tug and gone again. Turns out the wonderful DMV that is well known for great service, has failed to send my renewed Driver's license, and no one is going to hand me their car with an expired license, here we go again. After dealing with this I get to choke down a wendy's jr. bacon cheeseburger while trying not to cry while my husband takes me back to work. I spend all afternoon trying to call the DMV and find out who has their head up their ass there, and as I found out-they all do. So it is now rounding the corner to 4 pm and I have two patients left, I have to get to the DMV that is 15 minutes away (according to yahoo maps) before 5 pm, and then get to Lexus before 6 pm. Ok you have accepted your challenge young grasshopper...GO!!! Angela comes to get me and takes me to the DMV, where I almost go to jail for kicking the DMV girl's ass after she shushes me and waved her pointy little finger in my face. Angela literally has to grab my arm and calm me down. Great got the little paper and now the race is on to the dealership!!! We make it to Lexus and find out that my car is done and turns out I didn't need the paper license to get my own car, again even better. Get my car and take Angela to Chuy's for dinner for all of her troubles and I attend therapy via a Texas Martini. For this week though I will find out there is not enough alcohol in San Antonio to cure the stress I will endure, wa-freakin-hoo. After leaving Chuy's I drive home with Coldplay blaring on the stereo and Fix You comes on and I just loose it. I cry, big fat tears, and just let it all go. I feel overwhelmed, and I am also sad because on a day like today I would have finished this evening with a call to Alison and we would have shared a laugh over the crazy day. I am sad that I cannot do this anymore, and I cry just a little harder...

The rest of the week turns out to be an intricate design of dominos that continue to fall one after the other. The shiny new computer that I got on Friday decided that it hated me too and none of the hearing aid software would work. Got to cancel 5 patients because of this and spend every day on the phone with a computer geek somewhere up north. Then I have a patient that has been extremely demanding that wants her hearing aid before she goes on vacation for months in Spain. I have rearranged my schedule several times for this woman. Well on Wednesday she waltz in my office and tells me that she has decided that she doesn't actually want a hearing aid right now, that she will call me later when she is ready again-fantastic!!! The computer is fixed on Thursday just in time for me to have a sigh of relief before picking up two sick kids from daycare on Friday. On Friday I am sick as well and finally get to tuck myself in at 11:30 pm...

Saturday is my redemption day though, this is my stand up eight. I know that this all will seem like a small sampling of parenthood and life, and believe me I know that there are people out there experiencing things with a magnitude far greater than this. For me this is all I could handle in this week though and I made it out with little bruising! Tonight I will hang out with my kids, my husband, and my sisters. We will eat homemade spaghetti with most of the ingredients coming from my garden. We will sit in the love sacs (I will post an entire blog soon about the ode to the love sac), and play wii and enjoy each other's company. I may fall down many times, sometimes it feels like I totally got pushed, but with all the people that I have around me to pick me up I will never stay down for long. 06.12.2010