This is the first day of the rest of your life.

"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built." Eleanor Roosevelt


Friday, January 28, 2011

Blinking lights and parenting

I don't have any stress. Lack of sleep, but not really stress. Time and time again, I try to go back and remind myself to never take for granted all the good in my life.

Jake just had his 31st birthday, which I totally forgot to wish him on here or any other technological device or agent (Facebook/email) I actually did it in person. Which I actually feel is always the most meaningful!

The night before his birthday I made a cake at work that day and brought it home with some icecream. It was supposed to be a surprise, I had invited some family over, and some of our friendly neighbors. My brother kind of gave him a clue of the surprise with showing up hours in advance and asking him, "so are people coming over for your birthday tonight?" Thanks John.

We hung out and played hours of Mario Brothers 3 on the Nintendo. Now that is some good ole fashioned fun. Jonna and Ben even took their turns with it, and thought they were super amazing at the game. Jonna would even jump sometimes with Mario.

Jake had to work on his birth"day" so, I decided to at least pick up the kids after school and bring them over to the Firestation with some good ole fashioned Chinese take-out! And of course some of the left over Chocolate Cake with Cream cheese and chocolate chip filling. MAN it was spankin good!

As always, the kids took turns sitting in the driver's seat on the fire trucks and turning the lights off and on. It is always so thrilling to them. Then after the fire trucks we of course have to play on the gym set that is in the bay. Jonna is very good at lifting the weight bars up and down as she grunts to let us know how strong she is. Ben attempts to peddle on the exercise bike, after we tell him 13 times to stop before Jonna puts her finger in the wheel and chops it off.

All of this sounds pretty simple, and the best part is these are memories we will always cherish and it only cost us $16.45 for the chinese. lol!

Family is a huge for me. Coming from a large family, makes me realize how important simple things in life really are. Such as taking the kids to visit Dad at the firestation. My children and my husband are my world. My goal is to be our kid's superhero, and even as early as them being 3 and 1 year old, I know one day I am going to have to watch them make decisions for themselves. Decisions I may not always agree with. I am the "sister" who doesn't keep her mouth shut. I am in trouble, because I am gonna have to work really, especially hard to be the Mother that does. I was a teenager/young adult, that in some sense was just a little crazy, ornery, wild, however you want to put it. My Mom and I butt heads like no tomorrow. Now, that I am a mother, and feel the feelings she has felt with my brothers and my sisters I have this overwhelming truth hanging above my head that being a parent doesn't get any easier. Er visits with my son now for burns, bike wrecks, and cuts are probably nothing compared to what Jake and I will endure as we watch our children turn into young adults. And I will be truly honest it scares the bejeezes out of me. I have had two really good teachers though. I have learned from some of the best parents that I think are out there. They make decisions based on what they think is the best for their kids, and in some of those situations it means not making a decision at all, but letting their kids decide. It's about giving them the opportunity to excel in life, and then when I know I have raised them to my fullest capacity, when they succeed I succeed. That is one fine reward.

Since, I am really hoping this will seem like its forever away, I am going to bask in the moments of going to firestation and watching my kids turn the big wheel and flip the blinking lights off and on.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

ER BABY

Oh, my son Benjamin. He never ceases to amaze me. So, after Jake was able to complete his task with Jonna and before heading to his second job, I had to call him and tell him to call in and meet me at the school. Once again, headed to the ER with Benjamin.

Apparently, he was talking to one of his friends while attempting to step up to the urinal and missed the step and went forehead first into the urninal. Nice. One inch deep gash wide open down to the bone. So, blood pouring everywhere, they clean him up and bring him to the office. He didn't lose consciousness, and there were no clear signs of a concussion and besides the gaping wound and very scared three year old, he seemed ok.

Jake met us at the school, I sat in back with icepack on our way to the hospital. We knew Ben was off to get his first set of stitches. Each time I saw the gash, I think my heart leaped a little, cuz I could actually see his skull. Not a great site looking at your son.

You know just on a side note: Even though this is our fourth visit to emergency with Ben it sure doesn't get any easier!

Three hours in the ER, one hour nap for Ben, a board with straps to bundle him up like a burrito with arms tied down, five minutes of screaming and agony for Mom and Dad to hear him go through this at bedside. We proceed to tell him how big he is, and what a good boy he was being while fighting back tears ourselves, Ben screams, "I AM NOT GOOD!" 7 stitches, two on inside, and five on the outside. He was just dandy, and shoved a bagful of miniature chocolate chip cookies in his mouth once his hands were free, and he got a big hug from Mama Bear. Grandma K was kind enough to meet us at the ER with the treat.

We stopped by the school to see his classmates and teacher to let them know he was ok. I talked to Mrs. W. that night, and found two teachers had to get replacement clothes that day from all the blood Ben shared. And she also said, that after I relieved her with Ben, she had to take a moment to herself and cried. She was so upset that Ben got hurt. It really makes a mother feel good when you know your child is receiving the same care you would give them as a mother in your absence. Thanks Mrs. W!

So, Ben is just fine, and I have to say, after all these escapades, I am just truly thankful that nothing serious has happened to Ben.

All is well in the Holee Realm.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Epic Fail

History: Jonna had a bladder infection two weeks ago, and even had some blood in her urine. Not good. I knew by the symptoms what it was, being a woman that has had them her whole life. I remember peeing in a cup back to five years old at the doctors office. Now Jonna, is only 1 and 1/2. The trip to the doctor was less than pleasant while I held her legs down for the nurse to try to do a catheter on her to get a sample. It was pretty much a nightmare, and it scared the bejeezes out of poor Jonna. Any woman that has had a catheter in her lifetime, knows they aren't a picnic. Well, because of the infection, the doctor wanted a follow up sample to make sure she was all well after doing the 10 day antibiotics. Well, we really didn't want to have to put Jonna through that again, and so this leads to this morning's email from my husband trying really hard to get that sample without having to go through the process of last time.

From Jake at 7:45 am: Title of email: Epic Fail

Epic fail on the urine sample so far. I changed her into one of her little dresses w/ no diaper. I showed her the cup in the kitchen and tried to show her what to do, but to no avail. I went to her room really quick to get her sheets. Of course, there is a puddle of pee on the kitchen floor when I come back. I show her how to use the cup again, contemplate sucking the urine up with a medicine syringe but decide against it. I go to the garage to get a roll of paper towels. I come back and now there’s a little turd next to the puddle. I go to the cabinet to get a grocery bag, and turn around to see Mugsy closing in on the turd. I yell at him and chase him off. I open the door and yell for him to go outside. He’s scared, and doesn’t move. I go after him. He gets more scared and pees on the floor. I throw him out. I clean up Jonnas mess. I go and clean up Mugsys mess, and Jonna is behind me, helping. When I get done, I discover that she has deposited 2 more small puddles, and an additional turd.

How is your morning?

Love you
________________________________

Well so, no luck yet, the next attempt has to do with tape and a ziplock back. Go ahead and draw the picture yourself. Let's hope it goes smoothly.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Plain Delights

Snow Day as I would think my son would define it: A little peice of heaven fell from the sky. While Dad shovels the driveway at 7pm last night, Jonna, Ben and I all bundled up tromping around in the snow and making snow angels. The delight I see on their faces as they play in the snow is awesome.

Traveling from my lunch break to the gym back to work: I see a fire truck headed my way. Who happens to be driving that truck, my hubby, stache and all. You gotta feel special when you hear the loud horn honk from the truk and know it was meant especially for yours truly. Something about a hot fireman driving a truck delights me.

Benjamin: Chocolate milk would have to be this one's favorite delight. The moment he opens his eyes in the morning..."Mooooooooooom", as he sighs. "Can I have my chocolate milk?"

Jonna: Music delights this little one. You hear a beat, and she drops everything to break it down, and I do mean Down. She has this little squat/shake that is too hilarious.

Mugsy: Hmmmm, he doesn't delight me. Mugsy and I have this mutual relationship. I put up with him, and he puts up with me. He is our three and 1/2 year old boxer. This morning I was kind enough to lay some blankets outside for a little bed for him. I was feeling sorry for him cuz of the snow and cold. He continues to jump up on the door and wine and bark.....which he knows he is not supposed to do. I proceed to try to hit him down, only to have my hand go hard into the doorknob. As it throbbed and began to swell. I said a few words under my breath........and then looked to see the nice blankets I put outside for him to lay on were strewn through the snow, he likes to play with them like toys....hmmmm, sorry bub, that wasn't very smart, now you don't have a warm bed to sleep on. So LONG! That dog, sometimes!!!