Everyone is present and accounted for

Warning: I am feeling overly emotional and territorial so this post may not make sense. Read with caution. Or sign off and don't read at all. The real reason for writing at all is to get it out of my system.

Right this moment, it's 11:00 p.m. and I am tucked in E's bed. (By the way, I am more in love with E than I have ever been.) I have myself propped up in such a way that I can tilt my head ever so slightly to the left and see O snoozing in her bed across the hall.

Eric and E are sleeping in my bed tonight. Eric has offered to take the night shift with E since we're still having to wake her every three hours to give her pain meds. I'm having a little bit of a control problem with that, but trying to let it go. He's been out of town and just got home a few hours ago and wants to help out.

O got home a few hours ago after staying TWO nights at Eric's parent's house. They were gracious enough to watch her since the night before E's surgery. E and I started missing her so much today we didn't know what to do with ourselves. Talk about a quiet house without O!

I was missing her energy, her questions, her high-pitch voice. It just wasn't the same. The first thing O did when she walked in was make sure E was tucked in on the sofa and of all things .... she spread her beloved blankey over top of E and kissed her. I was in shock ... although E assured me O would do that. I never saw it coming. I mean, the blankey is usually off-limits. I guess O loves her sister more ?

We have been inundated with love and support this week from so many people (from so many of you!). It was just overwhelming! My parents, Eric's parents, my family, friends and even people I didn't know who read this blog. I appreciate it all so much.

E is doing well. I'm sure I'll write more about her surgery later, just so she'll have it to remember, but for now, I'm just amazed once again at the amazing girl she is. In the middle of the night last night, I got up to give her her pain medicine, and as I was crawling back in bed she was rubbing my hair and said, "Mommy, I am sorry you have to do this in the middle of the night for me. It must make you tired".

She is such a gem.

There is nothing I would rather do on this earth than take care her.

Once Eric and O were finally home and we were all together under one roof, I was so ready to lock us all inside. I am SO glad we're all back together again.

Even with my parents staying with me last night (thank you!), there is just nothing like having the four of us together, home, locked in, where we should be.

Bubble Gum

I could try to re-cap the past few days, but that would take me a sweet forever and well .... I could quite possibly burst into tears. So instead, I'll just say, "Hello, Tuesday. I'm glad to finally see you. I wasn't quite sure I would make it".

We're gearing up for my sweet girl's surgery on Thursday, and I'm going to go ahead and say something completely shallow and selfish. No, it's okay, you can agree with me. A tonsillectomy seems completely routine when it's someone else's child. But, when it's mine, the situation seems bigger ... scarier.

There I said it.

Shallow and selfish.

Maybe it's because Eric is in another state .... an airplane ride away. Yes, I knew he would be.

But, that makes me feel a little alone, and I hate even typing that because that will make Eric feel terrible.

God will sustain us.

The past week has been one of the most stressful I can remember, but not without it's high points of laughter. O has been an unusual handful. Maybe it's all the hotel rooms and confined spaces. Maybe it's being 5 ("a whole hand", she says). I don't know what the reason, but a handful, nonetheless.

I notice she is never still unless she is sleeping. Never. I watch her, so I know. She isn't.

We left our guinea pig, Hershey, alone while we went on our trip. I was assured by a friend he would be just fine since we were gone for such a short time. We loaded his food tray before we left. It's just that we've never done that before and well, let's just say, Hershey is a tad bit spoiled. He enjoys a good bit of finely chopped spinach, carrots, apples and grapes every night. He is well-kept. That, and the fact that he is smitten with E. He hears her walk through the door (mind you, he's upstairs in the bonus room), hears her voice and he starts whistling until she comes up to get him out of his cage to hold him. Spoiled.

We were almost home yesterday when Eric said, "I know Hershey will be glad to see us". E said, "I bet he is starving!" O said, and without any expression whatsoever, "Hmmm ... he's probably dead".

She never cracked a smile.

(By the way, he's alive and well and happy to see E!)

O's sense of humor is .... well, it could be like mine, but the thing is, I'm not sure she tries at all to be funny. She's just brutally honest. Which makes me want to crawl into the nearest hole most of the time.

She went with me to E's anesthesiologist appointment this morning and listened intently to the doctor explain to E how he would put her to sleep for surgery. He told her he would put a mask over her face and she would smell gas that smelled like bubble gum. Once she smelled that a few times, she would be asleep.

O said, "Hmmm ... that's weird. My gas has never smelled like bubble gum."

It was then I wished Eric was sitting in my place and I was sitting on his airplane.

It's like such a good day and stuff

We're plugging right along. E's tonsillectomy is scheduled for next Thursday, I am 2 days into my migraine medicine and so far not feeling loopy (yay me!), travel arrangements are made for this weekend to attend Eric's uncle's funeral and O has sworn off nuts forever. I think we may just make it.

A friend stopped me at church last night to make sure I was doing okay and honestly, I had to laugh. I'm actually doing great. I don't think I would know how to act if my life wasn't going full speed ahead and completely crazy. I wonder if I would be able to cope under no pressure at all?? I don't know ... I could give it a shot ;)

On a lighter note, E does get to perform in 2 shows of the play she's been working on the past 2 weeks. She just has to give up Saturday's performances. She had a show this morning and O and I were able to go. It is such a cute play called CSI Neverland. I love to watch E do something to enjoys so much. She plays 3 different characters and is so funny! I always hate that I don't have pictures of her on stage, but they won't let us take any. She has another performance tomorrow night so I might just sneak one.

It's always a great experience for her. However, this time around, the other castmates are a little older than normal .... as in 12 and 13. As a result, E's vocabulary now consists of a lot of like you know like not a lot of other words other than like you know like and stuff. Drives Eric and me crazy.

O is E's biggest fan. She loves to watch E on stage. You would think it would be the other way around given their personalities, but O won't even consider doing theatre. She should. She sure gives us enough entertainment at home.

Before we left to go swimming yesterday, I had to take a second look at how she was dressed ... and take a few pictures, ofcourse.

Don't you wear sequined shoes to swim?

Breakfast is Art

I made this years ago with E (pre-blog), but Meredith reminded me of it and I couldn't wait to do it with both girls.

O started her usual whining this morning, "Mom, I want breakfast", but break those four words into about 20 syllables and you have an accurate picture of her perfected whine.

"How about painted toast?"

"Ewwww, Mo-om! That's gro-oss!"

Always drama.

I did it anyway.

Milk with food coloring (we didn't have red - probaby because E is allergic to red dye #40. O told me that shouldn't make us throw it all away because 'hello! she's not allergic to it!!'. Again .... drama.

Painting their toast with milk ... and sprinkling it with sugar to make it nice and healthy ;)

O is telling me this is so much fun she is going to paint TEN pieces of toast and she promises she will eat every single piece because she is super hungry. (I stopped her at three - Mama ain't no dummy.)
The finished product ....
Because we are deeply southern, everything is better with a good helping of honey butter.

E painted one that said "WWJD". "What would Jesus do, E?"
"He would eat this yummy toast, that's what!" Ha!

To find a much better tutorial, click here.

Today

I woke this morning way before the alarm went off. I had my running clothes ready. I wasn't too excited to put them on. But I did.

I started jogging at 7:00 am and didn't get halfway down my street before I had to turn around and come back home. Defeated. I have felt crummy ever since Saturday night and haven't been able to run since that morning. Bummer.

Instead I took a long hot bath and got ready to take E to her Dr. appt. She had to see an ENT. Before I left the house, I made an appt. for myself with our regular doctor. It's weird, I rarely take my kids to the doctor and I rarely go myself. However, we've been in his office 3 times in the past 2 weeks.

The ENT confirmed what we suspected. E's tonsils have to come out - not because of strep, but because they stay so swollen, she has a hard time swallowing food. Suddenly, our summer plans are majorly altered. In these last few weeks of summer, we were going to take a trip with Eric, go to the beach and go to church camp. She can have the surgery next Thursday and still make it to church camp and have no restrictions when school starts - but, Eric won't be here for her surgery. Or, she can wait a few weeks and miss camp.

Guess what? She's choosing next week. Eric was a little deflated.

While in the ENT's office, Eric got a call that his uncle passed away. Now, we're heading to Virginia over the weekend. E will miss part of the play she's been working on. She's really being a big girl about it.

I head to my doctor appointment and instead of focusing on what I was there for, he was more concerned with my headaches. So, I got a prescription for a daily medication that I am NOT crazy about taking.

And just so O wasn't left out, he went over her allergy results with me. She is slightly allergic to tree nuts (not to be confused with a peanut allergy - did you know peanuts are beans?) and we made sure we are now armed with Epipens.

So, that's our day. I'll be slightly glad to see it end.

It's PINK day

Just in case you didn't know ....

Mismatched socks are okay, too. As long as they are in the 'pink' family ;)

E didn't share in the joy. "You're not letting her wear that to my theatre practice, are you?"

Ofcourse! Who would appreciate this attire more than those in theatre???

Peace

I'm settled under my favorite blanket. The blanket. No other will do. Minutes ago, I kissed my girls goodnight, who are already sleeping soundly on my bedroom floor.

It all happened quickly.

We came in from church tonight and everyone went their separate ways. Me, to change into my pajamas. E, to write a book report for her required summer reading for third grade. Eric was going to help O get dressed for bed. O suddenly became excited about a bedtime story she was going to tell us. It's her new thing. She tells us a story. She becomes so animated and makes up the goofiest things. I love her so much.

We were all going to meet in her room. She skipped out of my room to start upstairs, and going too fast, ran right into a column in our dining room with sharply pointed molding. Ouch. Her height puts her almost eye-level with the molding. She hits her head hard and causes an immediate blue knot above her left eye.

Crying. Boo-boo bunny. Suddenly the three of us are surrounding her, holding her and trying to console her.

My baby was hurting and I would suddenly do anything to comfort her. I knew just the thing. "How about you campout on Mommy and Daddy's floor tonight?"

A smile.

Within minutes, a palette is made for both girls and they are asleep .... peaceful .... content.

I kiss them again, get settled on the sofa under my favorite blanket and take a deep breath. Not to calm my nerves. No, not this time. This time, it's to inhale peace. I feel peace deep in my heart for the first time in awhile. I realize what has taken place in my home over the past hour is a perfect illustration of what God does for me.

I come up with a plan. I work hard to make it happen. Something comes along suddenly to knock me off my feet, maybe even hurts me deeply and the only thing that will help is to find safety in my Father's arms. To realize the fight is too much for me, I run to him and find peace.

He is faithful. He never turns His back and even goes so far to make sure I know I am safe.

It's midnight and Eric is working on the column. He wants to make it safer. I tell him not to worry about it because chances are she'll never run into it again. Maybe she's learned to not run so fast in the house?? Maybe she's learned her lesson??

His answer gives me pause .... "I just need for her to know I cared enough to make this better .... that I took the time to work on it".He wraps the molding in one-inch foam and ties it with a scarf :)

Peaceful. Another reminder that God is glorified in my home. Just like Eric's beautiful love for our girls .... just wanting them to know he acknowledges their hurts and wants to make them better .... my heavenly Father does the same for me.

He fights for me. He loves me. He's working while I'm sound asleep to make it all better.

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help..

My help cometh from the Lord,

which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:

he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."

Psalm 121:1-4

Summer Reading

Eric and I were talking last night about the rest of the summer. Trips he had planned. Trips we get to take with him. A mini-vacation. Church camp for E. Then, the words of doom were said .... "After that, school starts". Ugh!

I keep thinking one day I'll wake and be ready for that, but so far, I have a strong aversion to the thought. I can only pray I don't feel this way come August or it will be a miserable time, I tell you.

Okay, let's switch subjects .... to books.

Summer is the only time I can read more than a few books without distraction. Generally, when I am in the middle of leading bible study (Fall and Spring), I don't allow myself to read much of anything else. I get too distracted. The task of Bible Study and teaching Sunday School is about all my mind can handle. I may read one or two throughout that time, but it takes me an unusually long time to finish one book. Even then, it's usually non-fiction.

But, that's just me.

During the summer, it all changes. So, here's what I've been reading ....

I guess I'll start by confessing I read Twilight. Here's a little fact about me ... I'm not one to jump on the latest trend. I don't know - call it rebellion - but, I get turned off by it. I usually come around, but my stubbornness keeps me from immediate submission :) However, Twilight seems to be a popular thing amongst the girls in my Sunday School class (high school) and anything that peaks their interest raises my radar. So, I read it.

And I didn't hate it. ;) I even made Eric watch the first movie with me when I was finished. I was not a fan of the movie. Books are always better. However, the jury is still out on whether or not I'll read the others.

I'm not sure why I felt the need to explain all that. Oh, well ...

Other books I've read ....

Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury (a gift from one of my students)
Georgia on Her Mind by Rachel Hauck (another gift)
Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson (a must read if you have a daughter)
5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter by Vicki Courtney (again)
I Will Carry You by Angie Smith
What A Girl Wants, She's Out of Control, and With This Ring, I'm Confused ... all by Kristin Billerbeck (2nd time for each ... I think these books are hilarious).
The Mysterious Benedict Society (with E and O - why is this taking us forever?)

Believe it or not, I am currently reading Jane Eyre. I want to go back and read some classics. I spent hours in B*rnes and Noble yesterday deciding which ones. I started Jane Eyre last night and couldn't put it down.

I'm curious, though. What else am I missing out on? Do you have a favorite you could recommend?

Giddy

I couldn't be happier today. Eric is home from his mission trip, taking today off work to recuperate :) I was SO happy to see him when he pulled in last night after midnight.

I was also happy he could be with me this morning to take O for her kindergarten physical. I was dreading it. She had to get 3 shots as well as get blood taken because I'm suspecting she is allergic to nuts (another story). I was so proud of her. She was really brave, with only a few tears but her heart was broken. At that moment, I believe we would have promised her the world! :)

I've been able to spend a lot of quality time with one of my very best friends, Cathy, this week. She only gets to come home twice a year, so I drop everything when she comes to town. Yesterday, we took our girls to a community pool to swim. It's the same pool we used to go to in high school (which was probably the last time I was there) and the same pool where we had P.E. My high school's student parking lot backs up to the pool. So, there I was, sitting at the pool with my friend since third grade, watching our girls swim. A full-circle moment. I couldn't have been happier.

Here's E and Cathy's youngest daughter jumping off the high dive. My heart was in my throat most of the time.

And the water slide .... O's favorite thing. She must have gone down 50 times.

I can't wait for the day when Cathy can move back closer to me. She is the sister I never had. We grew up in the same neighborhood and met in the third grade. There's just something about spending time with someone that knows you so well, every aspect of your life, and still wants to be friends :) ha! I love her so much. God knew I would need this week with her. Perfect timing.

Well, I'm going to love on my baby girl, enjoy my husband being at home and possibly do nothing more than cook dinner and read a book :)

Hump Day

We are finally getting some much needed rain this week. Not much, but enough to keep me from watering the flowers :) Our grass is brown and crunches when you walk on it. We haven't mowed in 3 weeks!

The girls and I are plugging right along this week. Eric has been on a mission trip with our youth (he comes home tonight!). We've been trying to stay busy so the girls don't miss him so much. Honestly, his travel schedule is a little grueling right now and wearing us down. My love language is 'quality time', so I'm having to talk myself out of a meltdown.

Monday morning, we met some friends from school to play laser tag. My friend, Cathy is in town (my best friend since 3rd grade!), so we were able to spend a lot of time with her and her two girls Monday night. Spending time with her only makes me wish she lived next door. Her husband is in the military, so she hasn't lived near me for a long time. One day ...

Yesterday the girls and I met my friend, Heather for breakfast. Heather brought goodies for the girls, including this princess tea set you paint yourself.
A tea-set-junkie's dream :)
Heather, she loves it! Again, you did too much!E is in another play this summer. After debating whether or not to let her do it, we finally gave in and allowed her to. She enjoys it too much to deprive her of it when we have no other commitments. She'll spend every afternoon this week and next practicing and performing. She's in her element.This picture has nothing to do with that, but thought I should document the silly band phenomenon. Why, oh why, didn't I think of something like this? Geez.
Anyway ...

I finally chose a bible study for this fall for our women's group at church. Man, I agonized over that for months. I bought atleast 5 trying to decide which one to do. I now have perfect peace about it and can't wait to get started. I picked up the books/DVDs yesterday and am trying to talk myself out of grabbing one of the books and starting it.

Then, I remember I'm in the middle of this one right now and it's too great to turn my back on.


Summer will be over before we know it. I am SO NOT READY for it to end. Maybe I could do without the scorching hot weather and the 100% humidity, but school ? .... that makes me want to cry. While eating at Cracker Barrel this morning and seeing all the fall decor, I was tempted to wish it here quicker. Then, I thought of 5:30 a.m. and homework and projects and thought better of it.


Summer, please stay awhile longer.

I didn't realize we kept secrets ....

It was inevitable, I guess. My daughter is 8. She always 'grows up' a little over summer. Not sure why, she just always seems to.

She had a blank stare this morning as we snuggled in my bed. I was playing with her hair and after a few minutes, I asked her what was on her mind.

She said nothing.So, I pressed, "What are you thinking about?"

"Mom, it's private. I can't tell you."

Nooooooooooooooooo!!!

Thought I would die! She still not giving it up and it's killing me (though I'm trying very hard not to act like it!)

So, I did the next best thing. I told the Lord to make her tell me (or He can, I'll take either).

Excuse me while I go have a good cry.

Pampered

The weekend has come and gone in a whirlwind. Summer makes it more bearable, as opposed to a quick weekend heading into a work/school week (soon enough, Lord), but I still wish the weekend would last longer.

Friday, the girls and I took the long way home from our in-law's mountain home just so we could pass through Blowing Rock. (It's an illness). When we got home, Eric was already here waiting on us. I grabbed my book and curled up in a chair and read for hours. It was bliss.

Saturday, I woke with the mother of all headaches (which still has not left me), but willed myself to get through it so we could all spend the day together. After lunch, Eric surprised all three of us and took us to get pedicures.

We all loved it and felt very pampered. The girls actually got their fingernails painted as well. This was a giant splurge for us! We were spoiled.

This was also a first for O. She chose purple for both her fingers and toes :) Eric sat with her while she got hers painted and he mouthed to me, "She's getting designs on her toes".

Ofcourse, she is.

E and I were so relaxed, we almost fell asleep in our chairs :)

What a treat! Thanks, Eric!

Psalm 63

Eric, E and I are memorizing this Psalm together. I love it so much. Exactly what I need in this season of my life ....

O God, thou are my God: early will I seek thee: my soul thristeth for thee,

my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.

To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness:

and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory:

but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Psalm 63

Road Trip

It seems like every time I post these days, I'm talking about a trip we've taken. We're having a lot of fun this summer, I can tell you that. Eric had to go out of town for a few days this week, so my girls and I headed to the mountains where his parents have a place. It's so peaceful there.

I sat on the front porch and told my father-in-law it was the kind of place that forces you to slow down, which is hard for me sometimes. By Friday morning, I was completely fine with it :)

We barely had our suitcase in the door before my girls were putting on their boots and heading to the river. There is a rushing river in front of their house and my girls love to play in it.

O swinging on the giant tree in front of the house. By the time we left, the longest branches were lying on the road. She had been swinging so much, they all broke off.

E has one mission when we go there - to cross the river. That one mission stresses me out. She has tried several times, but turns back when she thinks it's too dangerous. It doesn't look like it in these pictures, but the water really is flowing fast.

This time, O had the idea to join her and I thought my heart would stop. I didn't have on shoes to get in the water with them. Next time, I WILL!

O didn't last long, though. She got water in her boots and that ticked her off :)

This is my favorite spot .... the swing in the front yard.

The view from the front porch. The river is just beyond that split-rail fence.

E talking to Eric - who was in New York at the time. Boy, did we miss him!

It started getting dark, which means it was time to roast marshmallows. O's favorite thing!

Cheeks full ....

Friday morning .... O already outside in her gown. "Who needs clothes?", she said.

E had already been up for awhile and outside with her Pappaw. And guess what .... she finally made it across the river. I ran to get my camera and here she is holding up two fingers to show me she had made it across two times. She was really proud of herself.

Then, O was pouting. She wanted to try.

E on her way back across ....

She had picked me a flower from the other side. Ha! Always thoughtful!

So, we're home again and Eric is too.