In a house with three kids, two dogs, and two crazy adults, life is never as planned. Especially during flu season. Yesterday, I had the most wonderful time with my husband. On a whim, we went to GR to go for a walk in the downtown area. We skipped Rosa Parks Circle and decided to warm-up in Schuler's and this amazing Asian restaurant--I think it is called XO Asian Food. Anyway, I had a Soho Lychee Martini and loved it! It was an unexpected taste of summer, which was exactly what I needed in the middle of this never-ending MI winter. The food was delicious too. Paul had Thai and I had orange chicken with wonton soup. It is a wonderful treat to have nowhere to go and a little time to window shop and be silly--makes me feel like a college kid again.
Before our little date, Abby and Adam had their first soccer game of the season. I am not kidding you, there is nothing that makes me laugh as hard as watching Adam play a sport. The kid is freakin' hilarious!! He is out on the court standing there growling, twirling, giving me the thumbs up, and dancing while kids are moving up and down the floor, kicking the ball, and working to win. All while oblivious little Adam tries to put on a show. I just can't believe him. I nicknamed him "meatball" several weeks ago because that's what he asked me to call him (instead of my traditional "A-ball"). So I was yelling, "Kick the ball, meatball!" out to him the whole time. Cracks me up still! It's just the simple things--that kid is just like his dad! =) By the way, Abby was playing to win out there--she's all skinned up and out of breath and stuff. She doesn't mess around. I am the mom on the sideline chasing the baby (who only was happy if I hung him upside-down), yelling out to my meatball, and thankful that one of my kids was giving me a break--while the hubby casually chats to the guy sittting next to him.
So, last night Abby had a friend over and we were playing a game and have chocolate strawberries . It was a good time. Then Ab doubled over and writhed in pain from 9 pm until 9am. What a night! That there was no vomiting or other icky projection made me worry about appendicitis. So, I took her over to the hospital to have them check her out. Four hours and several tests later revealed that the girl was severely constipated, and may need further testing if nothing "moves". They gave her a disgustingly sour chemical to drink, and told her it would hurt her tummy quite a bit as things started to work. That would be an understatement. I want to take her back over there and have them watch her subside in pain. She's tough and always very healthy--this is the first time that she can remember being in the ER. It sure does make me nervous to watch. I love that girl.
I hope you all enjoy your week!!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Returning Back to ME
I don't make resolutions. Never have. I am the kind of person who is interested in just about everything. I crave new experiences and enjoy training my brain in new and different ways. I have done lots of things since I have had children--far too many to mention here--but the one thing I have not done is exercised regularly. In college, I would exercise several times a day just because I could...nearly nine years later I have just one regret. I wish I had kept it up.
Babies cry, growing butts don't. The immediacy of babies is a full-time job. I guess I just got lazy. Three children, two houses, and a master's degree later I am completely out of shape, but I am also not going to whine much about this. For the last two days, I have worked out. Today I ran a mile, and though this was at a snail's pace I am thrilled. I also rode the stationary bike for a time and walked around the gym floor to cool down. If there's anyone else out there who has let themselves go, it is ok. I got off the treadmill and my head kept swirling and my legs felt like jell-o, but I did not die.
Here's my motivation: my husband has wanted to run a marathon for several years, but hasn't started running once. He subscribes to Runner's World, and every time I pick it out of the mailbox, I laugh. This last week he decided he wanted to start running, but didn't. I know he would be so proud of himself if he did this for himself--we all would. He asked me, Mrs. Fred Flintstone Feet, to run with him. I don't know about a full marathon, but I am going to run just a little bit more every single day and I'll see where I end up in May.
Once I make up my mind to do something, I usually do it. This one will take every last morsel of motivation I have, but I know it will feel great to have done something for just me for once (ok, and a little bit for Paul)! So friends, strangers, and everyone else--feel free to ask me OFTEN if I have run today this year--it will keep me on track. =)
Babies cry, growing butts don't. The immediacy of babies is a full-time job. I guess I just got lazy. Three children, two houses, and a master's degree later I am completely out of shape, but I am also not going to whine much about this. For the last two days, I have worked out. Today I ran a mile, and though this was at a snail's pace I am thrilled. I also rode the stationary bike for a time and walked around the gym floor to cool down. If there's anyone else out there who has let themselves go, it is ok. I got off the treadmill and my head kept swirling and my legs felt like jell-o, but I did not die.
Here's my motivation: my husband has wanted to run a marathon for several years, but hasn't started running once. He subscribes to Runner's World, and every time I pick it out of the mailbox, I laugh. This last week he decided he wanted to start running, but didn't. I know he would be so proud of himself if he did this for himself--we all would. He asked me, Mrs. Fred Flintstone Feet, to run with him. I don't know about a full marathon, but I am going to run just a little bit more every single day and I'll see where I end up in May.
Once I make up my mind to do something, I usually do it. This one will take every last morsel of motivation I have, but I know it will feel great to have done something for just me for once (ok, and a little bit for Paul)! So friends, strangers, and everyone else--feel free to ask me OFTEN if I have run today this year--it will keep me on track. =)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Hope in the New Year
Today I watched the President-elect barrel through part of the country in a train. This whistle-stop tour, with thousands of people looking on, reminded me once again of the state of our union.
For awhile, it has bothered me that we live in a culture nearly deplete of responsibility. Parents sign up five-year olds for Kindergarten expecting teachers to catch them up and be miracle workers. People neglect their bodies with food, drugs, alcohol, and excessive stress and then sue their doc when he doesn't wave a magic wand and heal them. Anxiety and depression are rampant, as well as other mental illnesses. Images constantly bombard us from every direction. Ten percent of the people who need one can not find a job. Soup kitchens are full and supplies are low. The stock market is slowly collapsing, homes are being foreclosed, and schools and communities trim the fat on an everyday basis. That is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
When you add to that a winter that won't quit, some people might just want to throw in the towel ... India anyone? France?
As a wife and mother with three young kids, I am at this moment quite blessed. We are lucky to have a job, a home, a van, and extra comforts. As a citizen though, I am not quite sure how to define my responsibility boundaries. Really, I feel like it is my job to give back as much as I possibly can...tirelessly this year, actually, through charity work and with my time.
I am really looking forward to this week. I have enjoyed watching the country start to come together and have active hope. Barack Obama is not a saint, savior or god. He has limitations and will continue to make mistakes from time to time. But what he seems to uniquely possess is the ability to rally people together to accomplish something big. And then return the favor with praise through reminding us that we did it together. Hope is what I have for us as citizens. Hope that we can meld beautifully and work together to create a far more wonderful world. Because that is just what we need.
Tomorrow I am attending a baby shower for a friend who will have her first child this winter. The little girl that she will bring into this world has so much to look forward to--a great, loving family, a picture perfect nursery, and acres of wonderful earth to grow and explore with. She is lucky to be born into this historic era. She will be a part of the page we turn together--with lots of hope and well wishes on the way.
For awhile, it has bothered me that we live in a culture nearly deplete of responsibility. Parents sign up five-year olds for Kindergarten expecting teachers to catch them up and be miracle workers. People neglect their bodies with food, drugs, alcohol, and excessive stress and then sue their doc when he doesn't wave a magic wand and heal them. Anxiety and depression are rampant, as well as other mental illnesses. Images constantly bombard us from every direction. Ten percent of the people who need one can not find a job. Soup kitchens are full and supplies are low. The stock market is slowly collapsing, homes are being foreclosed, and schools and communities trim the fat on an everyday basis. That is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
When you add to that a winter that won't quit, some people might just want to throw in the towel ... India anyone? France?
As a wife and mother with three young kids, I am at this moment quite blessed. We are lucky to have a job, a home, a van, and extra comforts. As a citizen though, I am not quite sure how to define my responsibility boundaries. Really, I feel like it is my job to give back as much as I possibly can...tirelessly this year, actually, through charity work and with my time.
I am really looking forward to this week. I have enjoyed watching the country start to come together and have active hope. Barack Obama is not a saint, savior or god. He has limitations and will continue to make mistakes from time to time. But what he seems to uniquely possess is the ability to rally people together to accomplish something big. And then return the favor with praise through reminding us that we did it together. Hope is what I have for us as citizens. Hope that we can meld beautifully and work together to create a far more wonderful world. Because that is just what we need.
Tomorrow I am attending a baby shower for a friend who will have her first child this winter. The little girl that she will bring into this world has so much to look forward to--a great, loving family, a picture perfect nursery, and acres of wonderful earth to grow and explore with. She is lucky to be born into this historic era. She will be a part of the page we turn together--with lots of hope and well wishes on the way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)