Nzembi 2013

Rush. Hurry.

As I was cleaning the house the other night I found myself being increasingly frustated with the state of things and I kept praying to just have a grateful heart and find that place of contentment. Rick came home and I said, "I can't believe we live like this." He says, "We have kids." Yes, but it's not their stuff. Stuff is everywhere. My stuff. His stuff. It's not organized. and Why? Because I HAVE NO TIME. Rush Rush Rush. I think about when they leave the nest and how much time I'll have when that happens... and does all this even matter right now? It doesn't. I'm just tired of always being in a hurry. I think I just wanted to whine a little. Done.
 We went to visit my Uncle last weekend who is terminal. His health has declined this week. My cousin, who is also terminal went back to the dr and his cancer is active again but they will not do another scan for 6 weeks. I checked on him yesterday and he's in a great deal of pain.
 Abby has what I think is a vericose vein in her leg. I read that this is NOT common in children and no one in my family has them that I know of and I'm not sure about Rick's side... so we are headed to the dr. this week. I'm praying that she will be fine.
 We took the plunge and went Gluten Free. This, after weeks of meal planning for all meals plus snacks. It was no easy feat. I had to tweak the kids' lunch menus because I received a lot of "that was disgusting" comments. After reading the Wheat Belly book, wanting to see if this lifestyle change helps Aidan's bowel issues, and Rick's joint inflammation, I thought we would try it. Ultimately we may end up as a 'partial' gluten free family down the road.
 Aidan has this whistle he's been wearing around his neck this weekend. He will blow it and say, "eyes on me" (maybe copying his PE teacher?) Wouldn't it be fabulous if Jesus did that to us... blew a whistle and said "EYES ON ME."    

And We're Toothless.

Milestone.

3 Day Weekend

I don't know why the photos are posting all random-like. I don't have time to figure it out. Saturday Abby had a bday party in the morning which was cut short to have lunch with Grandma (and a spoil trip to Target) plus Aidan's bball game. Sunday we got to visit with our big girls and Blakeley. Monday we headed to the mountain for tubing.

Friday Photo Dump



Love Day.

My little sweeties who LOVE this day. Classroom parties and sugar = best day ever.

Weekend

We landed Thursday and on the way home from the airport I had Rick drop me off at the grocery store (I already had my grocery list with me) while he went to pick up Cooper at the kennel. The past 3 years we have been on 6 air trips so I've learned to meal plan and grocery list plan before we leave. TYPE A. It's as if you never left. We scrambled to unpack, do laundry, dishes and get to bed. Friday was back to work and school and Friday night was gymnastics. Saturday I took the kids to run a few Valentine errands and the library. Aidan had basketball pictures at 3 and then a game at 4:30. At pictures we see a kid he played tball with last year and I overhear the dad saying, "We are just here for pictures and then going home, the whole family has diarrhea and vomiting." Great. Infect everyone thank you. Later on, Aidan's game starts and he is sitting on the side with his team when one of his teammates (who is playing in the game) is whisked to the side by his dad (the coach) and threw up all over the court some of it getting on Aidan. It all happened in slow motion and it's one of those visions that you can't easily forget. SIGH. His poor mom. I wanted to say something comforting, like hey...I've been there, Abby blew chunks in the pew during service last November. But she had enough going on to compare our kids' barf. Please let us not get the tummy bug again. I hit the snooze button too many times this morning but still got my run in, and we made it to church on time. When we came home the boys were playing football in the house (again), I am upstairs when I hear the ball connect with a cup and spill. I really, really cherished my latte today and yelled down asking if it was mine. It's wasn't. But... it was Aidan's hot chocolate. Everywhere. I hear Rick say, "Don't look, I'll clean it up, you just stay upstairs." Um yeah I totally looked and it took him 45 minutes to clean it up. Meanwhile, I take the clothes out of the dryer and go to start another load and step in a puddle of water. New washer is leaking. Is it too soon to plan another vacation....

Disney

Vacation

Made it home yesterday from our Disney trip. It's good to be home!!! Disney is not considered a relaxing vacation to me but it's the great family memories that count. I mean who wants to race walk 9-10 hours a day plus... I am so tethered to my job. Arggghhh. I would get up in the mornings and work for about an hour while Rick and Abby did her homework. OHHHHHHH the homework. I would also work about 2 hours when we got done at the parks. I was pretty irritated about the amount of work I had but I have a very flexible job so I guess it's a trade off. I was worried before we left about the kids getting sick since the flu is rampant. Of course Abby got sick 2 days before we left. The night before we left Abby came into my room and read me the "do not be anxious" verse. I looked at her and said, "Did you know I needed to hear that?" She replied no. I tell ya, it's like He says ok if you don't listen to me, listen to her. I packed our entire medicine cabinet. I think on Day 3 we were a little worried- she was freezing cold all day but with no fever and hardly said two words. Both her and Rick get chronic sinus infections and I knew we were headed in that direction. When Rick recently had his, his dr said take sudafed and do the saline rinse and flonase at the start of a cold. I did that with Abby and I think it's working.
Carsland was AMAZING. The crowds were unreal- definitely didn't expect that. Everyone at the parks had the same cough. No joke- I think every person there was recovering from the flu. For some reason Cooper got really fat while we were gone. He's been going to this kennel awhile now and we bring his own food with instructions. I have no idea what happened.
More pictures later.