Soren Turns Three

My little miracle boy turned three, today! He woke up and as we sang happy birthday to him, he ignored us and ran searching through the house. Eventually he demanded, "what happened to Karah?!" 

We'd had karah babysit the night before while we went on a date. While we were out, I got a terrible migraine and we decided to just come home. Soren had bonded with karah quickly and was snuggled up with her on the sectional, saying, "don't put me to bed. I'm afraid of the dark and I neeeeeed you, karah!" 

Who could say no to Soren's irresistible face? I took karah home while Aaron th led soren in bed. I was out cold by 9pm. (Anyone who knows my night owl habits knows that this should have been my first clue that I had more than a migraine coming on.) Soren dreamed of karah by night, and having won her heart, was still asking for her in the morning. 

We rushed out the door for church. I sent the girls into the chapel, and took the boys into the Relief Society room to settle down and practice being reverent, and spent the next 30 minutes trying to keep children in the building. 

I was so tired. My headache got worse. While carrying a struggling child back indoors, I realized it wasn't just my head----my whole body ached. Why had I not noticed before? I needed to go home. I just felt awful. I left the children at their classes and took Sloane home with me. We both got an hour nap in, and then I woke shivering. Fever. Still swollen glands (I swear they'll never go back to normal), and the dreaded white spots on my tonsils.  

 

I hammered 800mg of prescription ibuprofen and that got my temp down to 101, then threw Soren's cake in the oven. Aaron got home and I went straight to well quest. I. Am. DONE. Feeling. Like. Garbage. I am already in waaaay over my head with mothering needs and unsuccessful-DIY-yard-projects-that-came-here-to-die, and my callings, and unbalanced hormones/emotions that I just feel broken. I am just too emotionally weary to have my body not be operating. 

So I cried all the way to the doctor and was actually relieved when the strep test was positive. At least there is an answer for why I've been swollen and rashy all week. The hives were a strep rash. Why I didn't recognize it is beyond me, but I also didn't invest much thought in troubleshooting. I am very grateful for modern medicine tonight, and hope to be back on my feet soon. 

I threw Soren's cake  together when I got home. He was so happy. I saw 100 things I wanted to do better or smooth out, but was realistic and remembered Soren is 3 and couldn't care less if I spent another 30 minutes on it making it pinterest worthy. So I didn't. And he didn't care.

Look at that delighted face. That makes it worth it. We facetimed with grandparents and auntie Jana. Soren proudly announced, "it's my birthday!" To all of them, then showed off his cake.  

He was so grateful. After cake, we told him he had presents and his head blew off with excitement. Presents?! For him?! No way!

I remained in my blanket nest of patheticness on the sectional, while Soreb opened gifts. He got a minion lego guy from Rob and Lynda, kinetic sand from Hal and Lynn, some new-to-us Thomas trains and a little people garage that the girls and I picked out at Rhea Lana sale, a Percy train that goes on its own, and a pair of Mickey Mouse club house jammies. It was a rager. 

The children played together fairly nicely for awhile. Aaron took some cute videos. It was a low key, celebratory day of our sweet (and spicy!) Mr Saunchy. He brings us so much joy, I cannot imagine how dreary our lives would be without him in it. I can't believe I have such a delightful little 3 year old. Lucky, lucky me. 

Back to School Feast and Theme

I realized I never posted about our back to school feast/family night. I never seem to be able to get good photos of our dinner or the lesson. We sure missed Sue Moon joining us at our feast, this year. 

I prepared a pot roast, homemade mashed potatoes, rolls with jam, and green beans. The table was set by the girls with fake flowers, yellow plates, and chalkboards at each child's place with their new grade written on them. 

We are adding to our Be a Light family theme and continuing with our latest family scripture and focusing on a Making a Difference With a Soft Answer all school year.  

We read James 3: 2-13 and talked about a horses bit, and how adding a bridle allows for the horse's whole body to be controlled and directed from its mouth.  

We talked about the great ships that sit upon crashing waves, yet move wherever the captain at the helm leads. 

And we talked about how a little kindling can start a great fire. 

Aaron feels inspired that we help our children understand that they can make a difference in the world. They are an example. They can be the one good influence in the life of another. The one person who brings peace to chaos, joy to the sad, and love to the lonely.  It starts with one good choice at a time. One act of obedience, one kind word instead of acting in anger, one courageous stand for righteousness among peers, one prayer of gratitude, or one action to make the day a better one.  "Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth." Is our fire a light for good, providing warmth, comfort, safety and light to others?  Or are we a fire of destruction? A blaze of anger that burns down homes, a wildfire of gossip that hurts peers, a unapproachable heat that burns and leaves scars? 

It's important that we use our fire for good. We must be the captain of our ship, we must have a bridle on our tongue, for our words will direct the outcome of our course. We are the Lord's workhorses, we carry torches of truth and righteousness. We are not fire breathing dragons, scorching one another with yelling or unkind words.  

This verse will stay up for awhile. As long as it takes. 

Kasey came over late Saturday night and we made peach pies. I love hanging out with her. It doesn't matter what we are doing, or if we are doing anything at all. She's just good company.  I delivered one pie to a pregnant sister in our ward, and we invited the Porters over for Sunday night dessert. Reese and Quincy died over having two baby girls to (control) chase around and play with. Corbin and Soren ran wild with the boys. It was fun to host friends. I have gotten out of the habit and need to make an effort to invite people over more often. 

Have a good school year, my little Willies.  I will do my best to give a soft answer and set a fire of comfort and loving words in our home. 

Chores? What chores?

Oh Summer, 

I know Autumn is my favorite, but you are welcome to stay with us just a little bit longer.  I just didn't get enough days like today. 

Sincerely, 

Meg

Friday Walk

In an effort to get more green/vitamin D exposure, I'm trying to add a Friday Walk to our weekly routine. Something to get us outdoors and moving a bit. Last Friday, I joined some my neighbor ladies for a walk.  We had some good laughs. I wonder why it is that I feel most at ease with women who are not my same age. All I need is for my mom to move out here and I'll be set. Pictured L-R: Jenna, Mary, Nancy, Carol, and Nita. 

For today's walk, we met Kasey at the lake at 10 after she finished a run and we walked the lake, and explored a side trail. Soren liked this most. I know I say this all the time, but Arkansas is SO Beautiful. Look at this natural spring flowing over the bluff. Gorgeous. 

After our walk, we went to metfield park for playgroup and soaked up (a little too much for this fair skinned girl) some more sunshine. Sloane crawled around in the warm rocks and gave us funny inquisitive looks. Soren went down the "big slide". 

Where will next week's walk take us? Who wants to join us for an adventure? 

Swim Date for Girls.

On Saturday evening, the girls asked to go for a swim, since the pools will be closing for winter soon. We went for the hour before the pools closed for the night and had the place to ourselves. Technically, it was warm enough outside to swim but after the severe storms and heavy rain, the water IN the pool was so cold! Yikes! The girls jumped right in and squealed and screamed. I honestly wanted to sit this one out, but knew that getting in would provide a bonding opportunity for my daughters and I, so in I went. And as I'd predicted, it was freezing! I warmed up with a few fast laps and theny face and head didn't hurt so much. Reese and Quincy weren't cold at all once they got moving. Eventually, I forgot about it, too. 

We did handstands and other "tricks". We went down the water slide a dozen times. (First time for Quincy! She's so brave!) and I worked on independent swimming with Quincy for awhile. She jumped into the deep end and swam about 4 feet to the edge and pulled herself out. It was terrifying for her but she did it. Mage can't make it across the pool without help, yet, but I'm more confident that if she fell into a pool, she'd be able to pull herself to safety. 

They loved having my attention. I know it has been difficult for me to divide my attention lately, so it must be hard for them to share mom time, too.  We celebrated Quincy's bravery and finished our fun girls date with sonic blasts. Reese said, "Summer is practically over, and pretty soon all we will want is hot chocolate and warm stuff. We need to try as many blast flavors as possible this week, before they aren't available any more!" Excellent point, Reese. I do agree, my dear. 

Tubes Out.

Q had her tubes removed today. 

Her eardrum has pushed them out of place (this is totally normal) and healed up behind, but the tubes were stuck inside her ears (not so normal) with buildup and scabbing. The ENT was able to retrieve them with some long alligator tweezers and a microscope. Quincy said it hurt, and by her body language, I believe her. 

It was so sad to hold her hands and talk to (distract) her while big fat crocodile tears ran down the cheeks of my precious baby girl. The nurse wrapped them up "to go" for quincy to keep (nasty!) and I was actually pleased when she politely declined, "Those things hurt. I don't even want to look at them. You can keep them, or toss them, or whatever you do with stuff you take out of kids' ears. Thanks." 

Poor Quincy.

She's had fluid on her ears since July and two hearing tests since have had negative results, and today we learned that they're infected. At her appointment today, our ENT suggested yet another round of meds to try to try to clear up the infection. We're being aggressive with a 10 day twice a day antibiotic, then a once a day profilactic antibiotic for 2 weeks until we have a follow up appointment. The goal is to not need tubes again. I'm praying this works. 

A boy's gotta do what a boy's gotta do.