So, we're camping for Father's Day. How crazy am I? Camping is so much work. I keep telling myself that it'll be fun, once we get there. But, then there is the fact that we're leaving at about 5 pm today only to come home Sunday morning after breakfast...which will be at the crack of dawn...because we're camping.
We are going to have a nice time, I'm sure. But all the planning, packing, shopping and energy that goes into getting ready to go on a two night, one day trip is just ridiculous! My living room is full of tents, sleeping bags, camp boxes, clothes, etc that need to be packed into the truck when My One Tru Love comes home from work.
It has been quite warm here so far this week, so it will be really nice to get up and out of the heat. I think that the high is supposed to be like 90 (which is cool compared to the 102 + we have had this week), and the low like in the 50's. I think that will be nice. The fire hazard is high right now, so I don't know if we'll be able to have a campfire or not.
We are tent camping...with three boys. My daughter is not coming with us. Her best friend in the whole wide world (since Kindergarten) is having her birthday party on Saturday. So we let her stay with A for the weekend. No girl company, and pit toilets! Ugh.
So far this first week of summer vacation has been full of nothing! My oldest son went to an outdoor sports camp, I have to pick him up in a few hours. I know he has been having fun. I let myself off of all work this week. Just the basics, dishes etc. I know that it will wait, and I deserve time off. I will start all of the cleanning and keeping up next week. T and I are starting the Couch to 5K program Monday, and I am actually getting a little excited about exercising. Hopefully, running will be a good outlet for the emotional angst my darling boy is heading into. He's almost 13 and the hormones are raging! So hopefully, the running will help with the anger outbursts. Besides, I need to get into better shape. Maybe I need the outlet for all of the craziness in my life.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Summer's Here!
OH! MY! GOODNESS! What a crazy last day of school! I had every intention of having a lovely emotional day, and voila! Life stepped in!
Tuesday evening C was running a low grade temp, and wasn't feeling well. I decided to keep him home from school Wednesday since it was water day and I didn't want him to get any sicker. Wednesday evening he started to complain of a bad stomachache, and diarrhea. I was up with him until 11 pm with his lower right abdomen causing him great pain. (Appendicitis?) Thursday morning he woke up at 4 am in pain and not feeling well. Nausea, and zippo appetite. (Appendicitis?) So, after much contemplation, and a curbside consultation with a parent at our school who is a doctor, we decided to take him to the ER.
We waited over an hour and saw much trauma coming in the door. It was a busy day. Finally we got in the actual examination room. They established an IV, because they were assuming appendicitis also and we did blood tests and a urinalysis. Two bags of IV (bolstice) and C was perking up. The pain was considerably less. His electrolytes were a bit high. So perhaps he was a bit dehydrated? At any rate, we were sent home with a diagnosis of diarrhea and perhaps some swollen lymph glands in the abdominal area. Don't want to know how much that cost us...
R had her 8th grade graduation on Friday morning. She was supposed to be there by 8. Yeah. She decided to start to get ready at about 7:25. We got to the school at about 8:10. My One Tru Love was irritated with R the whole morning...ugh. Then, we couldn't find a seat, because I think they put out about 50 chairs for the 300 + graduates families.
The fun part was that I ran into an old friend. Her son had been in R's Kindergarten class. I hadn't seen this friend in quite awhile and asked where her husband was. They're divorced. Open mouth, insert foot. Honestly, they were together at the beginning of 7th grade! Oh well, I think I covered well. But, it was so fun seeing her. Hopefully, she'll call me. Her son and my daughter are in the same program at the high school.
R had a graduation party yesterday. She invited 17 people and 7 showed up. She was a little disappointed. Her boyfriend didn't show up. His parents weren't home so he couldn't come. I found out that I know one of her friend's moms, and she was able to tell me that R's boyfriend is a good kid...not ready for this!
T is leaving for an outdoor sports camp. He will be gone the whole week. I hope he enjoys himself and learns a lot. He will be taking his Hunter's Safety Course while at the camp. He can get his hunting license this year.
The summer is off to a hectic start!
Tuesday evening C was running a low grade temp, and wasn't feeling well. I decided to keep him home from school Wednesday since it was water day and I didn't want him to get any sicker. Wednesday evening he started to complain of a bad stomachache, and diarrhea. I was up with him until 11 pm with his lower right abdomen causing him great pain. (Appendicitis?) Thursday morning he woke up at 4 am in pain and not feeling well. Nausea, and zippo appetite. (Appendicitis?) So, after much contemplation, and a curbside consultation with a parent at our school who is a doctor, we decided to take him to the ER.
We waited over an hour and saw much trauma coming in the door. It was a busy day. Finally we got in the actual examination room. They established an IV, because they were assuming appendicitis also and we did blood tests and a urinalysis. Two bags of IV (bolstice) and C was perking up. The pain was considerably less. His electrolytes were a bit high. So perhaps he was a bit dehydrated? At any rate, we were sent home with a diagnosis of diarrhea and perhaps some swollen lymph glands in the abdominal area. Don't want to know how much that cost us...
R had her 8th grade graduation on Friday morning. She was supposed to be there by 8. Yeah. She decided to start to get ready at about 7:25. We got to the school at about 8:10. My One Tru Love was irritated with R the whole morning...ugh. Then, we couldn't find a seat, because I think they put out about 50 chairs for the 300 + graduates families.
The fun part was that I ran into an old friend. Her son had been in R's Kindergarten class. I hadn't seen this friend in quite awhile and asked where her husband was. They're divorced. Open mouth, insert foot. Honestly, they were together at the beginning of 7th grade! Oh well, I think I covered well. But, it was so fun seeing her. Hopefully, she'll call me. Her son and my daughter are in the same program at the high school.
R had a graduation party yesterday. She invited 17 people and 7 showed up. She was a little disappointed. Her boyfriend didn't show up. His parents weren't home so he couldn't come. I found out that I know one of her friend's moms, and she was able to tell me that R's boyfriend is a good kid...not ready for this!
T is leaving for an outdoor sports camp. He will be gone the whole week. I hope he enjoys himself and learns a lot. He will be taking his Hunter's Safety Course while at the camp. He can get his hunting license this year.
The summer is off to a hectic start!
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
A Little Sentimental
I'm beginning to get a bit sentimental. Tomorrow is the last day of school. My beautiful R will be graduating from the eighth grade. My T is going into the eighth grade, C going into the fifth grade and my baby, M going into the second grade. It seems like those endless baby and toddler years where just too darn short. I look at my friends who have little ones and I miss those years so much. I can't believe that I lived through them. Believe me it was hard having three kids under three, and I did daycare then too! It was craziness. But, I lived through it and would give my left arm to be there for just a few minutes again.
R has a boyfriend, which is another milestone I am thoroughly unprepared for. She is just too young. She's 14 1/2 years old! She needs to still be playing with baby dolls and Barbie dolls. It seems like yesterday when she told me everything, and thought that I could really help solve her problems. Now, I'm lucky if she fills me in on the basic details. I ask alot of questions, but she is the queen of one word answers. She's beautiful, gracious, smart, she is everything that makes me proud. I am just about to cry just thinking that she is almost a woman. She is a young woman and no longer a little girl. She, of course, will always be that little girl with her pacifier in her mouth and carrying around that old silky nightgown of mine, to me. But, she is just amazing and I marvel at her still.
I am relieved that the school year is ending though. It has been an overwhelming year for me. I don't know exactly why, but it has been. Tomorrow, I say good bye for the summer to my colleagues and to my kids. I really love all of the kids at our school. I will miss them.
There is a little guy in my first grade class, who undoubtedly will make me cry tomorrow. He has been hugging me everyday and telling me that he is going to miss me next year. He can be a stinker (what boy can't?) but boy is he a sweetie. I will really miss him if he isn't in the second grade class I work in next year. I keep telling him that I'll see him on the playground next year. But, I know it won't be the same!
Goodness gracious, I am getting that darn lump in my throat already. I can't help it.
I'll never have a first grader again. Boy, that really makes the lump bigger. I just can't believe how fast life flies. I have tried to savor all of the moments. But, honestly, there just aren't enough moments. Okay, here I go...the tears are coming.
I never knew that the love I would feel for these four little hearts would be so deep that it would actually cause me to hurt. I love them, I want them to stay my babies forever. They just keep growing up so fast. I just can't even put it into words, the love, the pride, the intensity I feel for the little lives I've been entrusted.
R has a boyfriend, which is another milestone I am thoroughly unprepared for. She is just too young. She's 14 1/2 years old! She needs to still be playing with baby dolls and Barbie dolls. It seems like yesterday when she told me everything, and thought that I could really help solve her problems. Now, I'm lucky if she fills me in on the basic details. I ask alot of questions, but she is the queen of one word answers. She's beautiful, gracious, smart, she is everything that makes me proud. I am just about to cry just thinking that she is almost a woman. She is a young woman and no longer a little girl. She, of course, will always be that little girl with her pacifier in her mouth and carrying around that old silky nightgown of mine, to me. But, she is just amazing and I marvel at her still.
I am relieved that the school year is ending though. It has been an overwhelming year for me. I don't know exactly why, but it has been. Tomorrow, I say good bye for the summer to my colleagues and to my kids. I really love all of the kids at our school. I will miss them.
There is a little guy in my first grade class, who undoubtedly will make me cry tomorrow. He has been hugging me everyday and telling me that he is going to miss me next year. He can be a stinker (what boy can't?) but boy is he a sweetie. I will really miss him if he isn't in the second grade class I work in next year. I keep telling him that I'll see him on the playground next year. But, I know it won't be the same!
Goodness gracious, I am getting that darn lump in my throat already. I can't help it.
I'll never have a first grader again. Boy, that really makes the lump bigger. I just can't believe how fast life flies. I have tried to savor all of the moments. But, honestly, there just aren't enough moments. Okay, here I go...the tears are coming.
I never knew that the love I would feel for these four little hearts would be so deep that it would actually cause me to hurt. I love them, I want them to stay my babies forever. They just keep growing up so fast. I just can't even put it into words, the love, the pride, the intensity I feel for the little lives I've been entrusted.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Weekend
Another competition for my daughter. On Mother's Day, of all days. R and I left town on Saturday...we were supposed to leave at around 11:30 am. But, we didn't get out of town until about 1 pm. I never leave town when I plan. Anyway. We went to the lovely city of Reno, The Biggest Little City or something like that. I think I don't like Reno. In fact, I know I don't like Reno. It is an ugly little town, and it makes me feel dirty. I don't like it. We walked down Virginia Street and I was nervous the whole time. Let's just suffice it to say, I don't have the desire to live in Reno. R competed in the Sierra Grand Resort. It's a nice casino/hotel. They are rennovating it, so it was kind of hard to get to where we needed to be. But, the area we had to compete in was great. R got a 2nd in her hard jig, which moved her up to Prizewinner. She is now Prizewinner across the board, and still striving for that darn 1st in a hard shoe. Irish dance competitions (feis) are confusing at best.
R and I got home at about 6 pm Mother's Day. I drove home feeling like my head was going to explode out of my ears! I woke up Sunday with the beginning of a sinus infection. Elevation isn't good for clogged ears, in case you didn't know. I was miserable! When we got home I was completely exhausted! My One Tru Love wanted to take us all out to dinner, so I showered, took some Tylenol, and loaded the family up for a Kalico Kitchen dinner. We had a nice dinner. The kids were good. We got home at about 8:20, and the last time I was aware of the time it was 8:36. I had to sleep.
Today continues the countdown to the end of the school year...17 more days!
My One Tru Love leaves for Las Vegas Wednesday, he should be back late Friday night. That is definitely going to make this week go fast!
R and I got home at about 6 pm Mother's Day. I drove home feeling like my head was going to explode out of my ears! I woke up Sunday with the beginning of a sinus infection. Elevation isn't good for clogged ears, in case you didn't know. I was miserable! When we got home I was completely exhausted! My One Tru Love wanted to take us all out to dinner, so I showered, took some Tylenol, and loaded the family up for a Kalico Kitchen dinner. We had a nice dinner. The kids were good. We got home at about 8:20, and the last time I was aware of the time it was 8:36. I had to sleep.
Today continues the countdown to the end of the school year...17 more days!
My One Tru Love leaves for Las Vegas Wednesday, he should be back late Friday night. That is definitely going to make this week go fast!
Monday, May 7, 2007
Busy...Fun
What a busy, fun weekend we had. My baby M is 7 years old, as of Friday, May 4. I can't believe he's that old. I can't believe I am through having babies.
Last week was Teacher/Staff Appreciation at our school. We had such a spoiled week. We got breakfast one morning, and flowers, and goodies, and Jamba Juice, and massages and a wonderful luncheon on Friday. What a nice week. (Which reminds me I need to write a Thank you note or two!). Friday, as previously mentioned, was my youngest child's birthday. He wanted a party, but, with the luncheon and another surprise party to go to that evening, we had to postpone it. Which is fine, because it gives me two more weeks to procrastinate.
Saturday, my daughter was in the local spring parade. Which she didn't want to walk in. She complained and whined and fussed about it the whole time. She looked great out there. And, I got to see two girls from our school who are Native American, dance. I loved it. And they were so excited to dance for me.
Let's see, Cinco de Mayo! We went to a friend's bar to watch a local band perform, and that was fun. My One Tru Love wasn't feeling well, so I took him home early, and then I went back and I had a blast! It was fun, and I didn't get home until 1 am. OH, did I mention I forgot my house key? 1 am and I am opening the window trying to wake up the boys (who were having a sleepover) in the living room. It brought back those high school days memories.
Then, Sunday, Spiderman 3!!!! I loved that movie. It was fun. I took the boys and R.
Now, we're getting ready for the next relaxing (NOT) weekend. R is competing in Reno. We're leaving Saturday late morning for that and won't be back until late Sunday night. I am a little disappointed that I won't be seeing my boys on Mother's Day. I'll be with my daughter and my mom, just not my boys.
But, overall, even with all of the running around, I had a great weekend. I spent it with my kids, and I guess that is what makes it great.
Last week was Teacher/Staff Appreciation at our school. We had such a spoiled week. We got breakfast one morning, and flowers, and goodies, and Jamba Juice, and massages and a wonderful luncheon on Friday. What a nice week. (Which reminds me I need to write a Thank you note or two!). Friday, as previously mentioned, was my youngest child's birthday. He wanted a party, but, with the luncheon and another surprise party to go to that evening, we had to postpone it. Which is fine, because it gives me two more weeks to procrastinate.
Saturday, my daughter was in the local spring parade. Which she didn't want to walk in. She complained and whined and fussed about it the whole time. She looked great out there. And, I got to see two girls from our school who are Native American, dance. I loved it. And they were so excited to dance for me.
Let's see, Cinco de Mayo! We went to a friend's bar to watch a local band perform, and that was fun. My One Tru Love wasn't feeling well, so I took him home early, and then I went back and I had a blast! It was fun, and I didn't get home until 1 am. OH, did I mention I forgot my house key? 1 am and I am opening the window trying to wake up the boys (who were having a sleepover) in the living room. It brought back those high school days memories.
Then, Sunday, Spiderman 3!!!! I loved that movie. It was fun. I took the boys and R.
Now, we're getting ready for the next relaxing (NOT) weekend. R is competing in Reno. We're leaving Saturday late morning for that and won't be back until late Sunday night. I am a little disappointed that I won't be seeing my boys on Mother's Day. I'll be with my daughter and my mom, just not my boys.
But, overall, even with all of the running around, I had a great weekend. I spent it with my kids, and I guess that is what makes it great.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Something's Bugging Me
I read tracey's blog http://tracey-justanothermommyblog.blogspot.com/2007/04/too-much-freakin-nature.html (since I don't know how to link it any other way...here it is). I had to say something about it.
I am the mother of a survivor of molestation. T was molested at age 5 one time by a neighbor boy (young teenager at the time). It was a five minute time period when he was out of my site, and an awful thing happened. Fourtunately, it wasn't as awful as it could have been. Fourtunately, I noticed that he was no longer in our backyard.
What I wanted to say, what has been bugging me since reading the comments to tracey's blog, is this...I don't feel sorry for the molestor. I don't care if he (or she) is tagged with a lifelong label. Guess what?! My family is forever changed because my son was molested.
I did the right thing, when I found out what happened. I went to the Sherriff's department, filed a report. I got counseling for my son, I went to the interview with the DA. I did all of the right things. T did all of the right things. He told the truth. To the deputy, to the DA, to his counselor. We have prayed for help in forgiving the molestor. We have done all the things that you can do when something horrible like this touches you.
We are different, because of a five minute period of time, in June 2000. We will never be the same. My son had a piece of his soul murdered. He wasn't raped (Praise the Lord), he was violated. His trust in himself and other people was taken.
The registry is just an eye opener. It is a tool. It may or may not save a child from being victimized. But, it is only a tool. I check that darn registry obsessively. I run my children's coaches, dance teachers, guitar teachers, anyone who has contact with my child...because, all it took for us was five minutes of me not knowing...I know, especially based on our experience, that it happens, no matter how careful you are. But, at least I am informed.
Seven years down the road, we still battle the monster called molestation. It has placed it's ugly stamp on my son's heart. He will constantly feel different, because of what was taken from him. But, he is a survivor. He is not a victim. He survived. He forgives daily. He forgives the molestor. He forgives me. He forgives his dad. Mostly, he forgives himself. Even though we have told him from the beginning that this wasn't his fault, he blames himself. He has to forgive himself, he has to tell himself that he is good enough. Five minutes robbed him of so much. Five minutes broke his heart into a million pieces. Pieces I and My One Tru Love are constantly trying to pick up and put back together.
My son is so much more than what happened to him. He is talented. He is tender hearted. He is a hero (Trish, we can leave that for another post). He is a big brother. He is loving. He is forgiving. He can conquer anything.
I'm tired of being told that I should feel badly for the bad choices people make. I'm tired of hearing that more money needs to be poured into rehab/counseling for offenders. I want to see real consequences. I'm a bit biased...our monster never paid. He never felt real consequences. Maybe that is something I need to let go, and forgive, and move on...but I want to see that there is a consequence for evil.
I am the mother of a survivor of molestation. T was molested at age 5 one time by a neighbor boy (young teenager at the time). It was a five minute time period when he was out of my site, and an awful thing happened. Fourtunately, it wasn't as awful as it could have been. Fourtunately, I noticed that he was no longer in our backyard.
What I wanted to say, what has been bugging me since reading the comments to tracey's blog, is this...I don't feel sorry for the molestor. I don't care if he (or she) is tagged with a lifelong label. Guess what?! My family is forever changed because my son was molested.
I did the right thing, when I found out what happened. I went to the Sherriff's department, filed a report. I got counseling for my son, I went to the interview with the DA. I did all of the right things. T did all of the right things. He told the truth. To the deputy, to the DA, to his counselor. We have prayed for help in forgiving the molestor. We have done all the things that you can do when something horrible like this touches you.
We are different, because of a five minute period of time, in June 2000. We will never be the same. My son had a piece of his soul murdered. He wasn't raped (Praise the Lord), he was violated. His trust in himself and other people was taken.
The registry is just an eye opener. It is a tool. It may or may not save a child from being victimized. But, it is only a tool. I check that darn registry obsessively. I run my children's coaches, dance teachers, guitar teachers, anyone who has contact with my child...because, all it took for us was five minutes of me not knowing...I know, especially based on our experience, that it happens, no matter how careful you are. But, at least I am informed.
Seven years down the road, we still battle the monster called molestation. It has placed it's ugly stamp on my son's heart. He will constantly feel different, because of what was taken from him. But, he is a survivor. He is not a victim. He survived. He forgives daily. He forgives the molestor. He forgives me. He forgives his dad. Mostly, he forgives himself. Even though we have told him from the beginning that this wasn't his fault, he blames himself. He has to forgive himself, he has to tell himself that he is good enough. Five minutes robbed him of so much. Five minutes broke his heart into a million pieces. Pieces I and My One Tru Love are constantly trying to pick up and put back together.
My son is so much more than what happened to him. He is talented. He is tender hearted. He is a hero (Trish, we can leave that for another post). He is a big brother. He is loving. He is forgiving. He can conquer anything.
I'm tired of being told that I should feel badly for the bad choices people make. I'm tired of hearing that more money needs to be poured into rehab/counseling for offenders. I want to see real consequences. I'm a bit biased...our monster never paid. He never felt real consequences. Maybe that is something I need to let go, and forgive, and move on...but I want to see that there is a consequence for evil.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)