…going on. Here’s what’s on my mind…
E’s first game, which I saw most of – had to leave to take Abbey to softball practice.Â
My hat is off to all the single parents out there…whether you’re full-time, at home while your spouse is serving our country, etc. Randy has been traveling a lot this last week and I’m SPENT. It’s hard work, people, not to mention a little lonely. Praying an extra prayer for those who hold down the fort on their own.Â
I had the pleasure of calling the Poison Control hotline for the first time today. Yep, I had a great track record going until child #5. I had an empty nail polish remover bottle on the kitchen counter, ready to put in the recycle bin. I should have considered that “Miss Grabby Hands” (as she’s affectionately known around here) would get to it. I look over right as she tips it up into her mouth. Ahh! I knew there was only a drop or two in there, but smelling her breath told me she definitely got some. Funny thing, she didn’t even make a face. Yet another reason to believe that she does NOT have taste buds. The gal at PC was very nice, listened to what happened, and told me she might have a tummy ache (nah), to offer her fluids (I did), and that she’d be fine (she is).Â
Here she is, eating something she SHOULD eat. A muffin that Marley helped make in her cooking class.Â
Speaking of Lainey, she’s doing really well with her speech therapy. We have a new therapist which we LOVE, and Lainey does great for. In her words, the therapist is “stoked” at how much potential she shows already (only 3 sessions into it). We both agreed that Lainey Q is just soaking everything up and readily copying, imitating, singing, signing, etc. She’s just a bundle of learning, and it’s so fun to watch. Her latest things are “counting” to 5 – we count with our fingers “one…two…three…” and she copies perfectly and tries to imitate the numbers (three is “eee”). She LOVES itsy-bitsy spider and wheels on the bus, discovered her shadow for the first time this past weekend, and almost has drinking from a straw figured out!  It’s amazing to watch her experience these things.Â
Ethan had his first baseball game this past Tuesday…they won, but EJ did well just to be there. His asthma has really been kicking up this last week, and we weren’t sure all day if he’d be well enough to make it to the late afternoon game. He had a couple of breathing treatments, cough medicine, and his inhaler in his baseball bag and we decided he felt well enough to try. He made it through fine, never needing his inhaler (I was amazed). He told me he had prayed about it several times, and we talked about how God had indeed allowed him to play.Â
Payton and Lainey team up to clean!Â
The title for this post is perfect for how I’ve felt lately…there is just too much to do, too many places to be, too many errands to run, too many items on my “to do” list. Sometimes I dream of being Amish, with just a couple of outfits, a few books, candles, and everyone has their own ONE plate, cup, bowl, and fork. Then, I come back to my senses. But, for me, clutter of any kind really drives me nuts and the clutter I’m feeling in my brain isn’t any different than a full kitchen counter. I know the answer is to purge, simplify, cut back and I honestly try. I want to do the things that “matter”, the things that will be memories for my kids to look back on and smile when they’re my age. I’m praying that God will guide me in this area specifically…feel free to join in ;)Â
September 26th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Okay, got to say that I love the pictures! Especially of Lainie and Payton cleaning. How come my kids don’t think that it is cool to clean??
Very glad the poison control call was not a big deal. Anna Grace found a stray motrin on the floor a month ago and licked it many times. I kind of wondered what that strange brownish tint was on her lips. She wouldn’t tell me what she “ate” but did whisper to her big sister that it was medicine. The light bulb went on to remind me I had dropped a motrin in the dark the night before but didn’t bother to find it at that moment. Big time lesson learned for me.
As a mom to four, I totally get the need for less clutter. It seems to multiply during the day while we’re all at school/work. How?? I really need to spend the weekend cleaning but really don’t want to.
My hat is off to all those single parents as well. I don’t know how they handle it so well. I have a hard time when Dave is traveling for weeks at a time. And, I have teens to help me! My single friends just amaze me. I am in awe over their strength.
September 27th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Usually I start my comments at the top, but this time I’m starting from the bottom. Donna, I wish I could be there to help you when you need it…I hope and pray that God will help you calm down and take it “one day at a time”. Only having one child, it’s hard for me to relate to your stress, but then, working in preschool, I definitely get an idea!! I guess the only solution is for you guys to move back to NC where I could help out. ;) Seriously, I am concerned about you…maybe things will be much better when Randy is home more.
So, EJ is playing baseball again…I hope his asthma is under control. Maybe it’s the change in the weather. I assume Payton is not playing this time.
Poison Control…wow!! Little “Grabby Hands” doesn’t know that nail polish remover smells bad..can’t imagine how awful it tastes!! Glad she’s OK!!
So, Marley is taking cooking classes? Looks like you’ll be getting some help in the future with 2 good cooks (Abbey & Marley) around!!
Itsy Bitsy Spider and Wheels on the Bus are our toddlers fav songs…we sing them all day long while they play!!
Love to you…take time out for yourself at times. You said you want to do things that “matter”…that will make memories for your kids. Well, as far as we’re concerned, you and Randy are doing a GREAT job of doing that!! When we all went to MOSH in July, there were so many memories made in those few hours we were there, it totally amazed me!! You guys take the kids to so many places where they learn so much and they enjoy being together with family!! Just look at how much Lainey learns from you being models…it’s awesome!! What I’m trying to say is that as parents, you guys are the BEST of the best!! (And don’t you forget that!!) :) Mom
September 27th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I know how scarey it can be to have to call poison control. When Tony was about Lainey’s age, he climbed up the knobs on his dresser and got into some meds that we were having to give him. Some he drank and another he poured into his eyes. After pumping his stomach at the ER and washing out his eyes many times, we took him home. We all learned lessons during this. Little “grabby hands” will learn these too. You are always so careful and take the necessary measures in being careful about things, so don’t beat yourself up over this. God didn’t make us perfect, but He did make us to be smart and loving. You are both of these things.
I am glad that Ethan is playing ball. I know how concerned you and Randy are about him doing this with his breathing problems. But – again – you are taking the precautions you need if there are any problems. Make sure the coaches are aware of this and then you have done what you are supposed to do. I am glad that you don’t “over protect” him and all the kids. This gives them room to grow and to become the adults they will be (way too quickly). LOL
Another thing you are doing right is by teaching your children about responsibility. Payton & Ethan knowing that helping clean a house is okay for a boy to do. One day there will be a wife that will thank you for this. Teaching Marley and Abbey how to cook will be so important for them in later life. So many parents today don’t take the time to teach these things to kids. They say it is quicker if they (the parents) just do it. Not only are these cleaning, cooking, etc. important for all the kids to learn, but it gives them a sense of pride, responsibility and appreciation for what their parents do and have done for them.
Do you not realize that with 5 children things will always be hectic??? It was that way when I had 2 and my boys turned out okay (well great, but that is a Mother’s opinion). You are somewhat of a perfectionist and you know that and that may be why you are so hard on yourself at times. I think all of us would love a simpler life at times and sometimes there are ways to simplify. It is just hard at times to decide what can be made more simple.
You and Randy are great parents. You know that giving your children the Christian basis for life is the most important thing to do. Secondly, giving them a home filled with love is something you both have done. They see the love you and Randy have for each other and that gives them the legacy of what to expect when they grow up. You take your time in teaching them (and they are so smart). In home schooling you are spending more time with them than most parents do or can. This also gives you and Randy the opportunities to take them many places and showing them so many things that will make these memories you want them to have. I know that sometimes you may feel that you don’t have time for yourself or for just you and Randy. My prayer is that God will show you how to find that time. Other than that I KNOW that you and Randy are doing a terrific job as parents. I am so proud of both of you. And I love you and my wonderful grandkids.
September 27th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Much to the chagrin of my family, I love to purge too. It’s so cleansing to me to get rid of STUFF! ANd yet I collect clothes like….well, like a packrat. Hmmmm…..
I’m glad you didn’t poison your daughter. ;-) Could have happened to anyone, girl.
I feel the same way about single parenting. My mom had to do it and my hat, and every other hat I have every owned is off to her. HOW ON EARTH did she do it?
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Oh my goodness … what a scare you had! It sounds like Lainey is really keeping you on your toes … but it also sounds like she is a VERY bright little girl! Can’t wait to meet her in person someday!!!! We really must make that happen!
Karmen