Psycho

I love being Mama.

LOVE it.

But.

This last week, I would have really, really, really liked to have a substitute. A stand-in. A wife-of-my-own.

I've had my fill cleaning up bodily fluids....all 5 of us had the flu. It was awful. TERRIBLE.
I'm tired of comforting someone else while concentrating to re-lift my eye-lids.
I'm tired of waking up every 30 minutes dealing with someone's nightmares.
I'm tired.
Really, REALLY tired.

And I'm tired of laundry.
24 loads in one week...and one still on deck.
(For some strange reason, I thought it would be interesting to keep a running tally of how much laundry I had to do when the flu hit our house. The jury is out on if this was encouraging or demoralizing.)

In fact, I'm so very tired of laundry....that I might have gone slightly psycho today.

My Bitty Bean - whom I love, even though she is still allergic to pooping in the toilet - fell asleep in the car on the way to piano lessons.

After String Bean raced inside, and Jumping Bean unbuckled, and I unloaded Boy Bean (who had to be carried because his shoes were miraculously eaten by the Swagger Wagon), I went out to wake the sleeping munchkin.

She had an accident.
All over her princess dress.
All over her car seat.
Into her brand new running shoes.

I didn't have a spare outfit, or shirt, or anything.
No panties.
NOTHING.

So with 3 wipes and a too-small-diaper stolen from her brother, I cleaned her up and covered her business.  But it was chilly tonight - she got pee on her jacket - I couldn't just let her go naked!

Typically, at least one of the girls is wearing numerous layers and could spare some article of clothing; not this time.  I was wearing my basic workout pants and top...although they were not worked out in today. (gotta stay honest)

I gave her my shirt. She thought that was the funniest thing EVER.

Then I zipped my fleece up to the very top. 

As I was placing Bitty Bean's soaking wet things in a bag, I just started crying.
I honestly don't really know why.
It could be because I'm tired.
Or because I didn't want to have to go home and do dinner and clean up and homework and bed time. Or maybe because I feel extremely behind schedule because of when the flu hit.

But no, I am pretty sure I was crying because I didn't want to do any more laundry.

I had spent most of my day rescuing the house from our illness...but when we returned it was still a wreck.

Dishes.

Laundry.

And one very industrious 5 year old who thought decorating the kid table with a pencil was a good idea.

We danced through dinner. (A complete cop-out for me, I made pancakes.)
Then we all snuggled down in blankets on the floor and watched Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer as dictated by our Advent Calendar/shoe box.

And you know what?

I love being Mama.

LOVE IT.  :)




~Whitney Copyright 2012

Cocoa Bean Moment

I've had the gift of two special moments with my String Bean this past week...and I have to share!

In one 24 hour period last week, the man-child was possessed by the devil. He would not nap - he woke up hyperactive at midnight - didn't go back to sleep till 3 - and then was ready to kick the day in the teeth at 5 am.

I was tired. 

Add in that he and Bitty Bean had temporary onset of being deaf to my voice.

And Jumping Bean was on obedience strike. 

And Bitty Bean cried/wailed/screamed for the majority of that time. 

I was bone tired.
I was exhausted physically and mentally.
(Remember - My Love is still 3 weeks from returning home)

Wednesday night, String Bean slept with me - we went to bed at the same time and talked and snuggled. It was a special time just being together. She knew I was tired and that the other 3 children had depleted every resource I had.

So, in the morning, when Boy Bean woke up - String Bean heard him before me.  She got up and quietly led him downstairs. She put a tv show on for him...and the other sisters as they joined him on the couch. She got herself ready for school. She made her breakfast. She made her bed and picked up her clothes. She stayed completely on schedule.

I woke up at 7:30 and catapulted out of bed - we have to be at the bus stop by 7:55!  When I came downstairs and saw that my sweet girl had taken care of everything - I was flabbergasted.

That girl is totally awesome.

I pulled her aside and told her very clearly, "You are now my favorite child of all time."

She said, "I know."

"We're all your favorites!"

Then, last night, after picking chunky puke out of the carpet - it sprayed an area the size of Rhode Island; mopping the throw-up off the bathroom floor; wiping the spray off the bathroom door; and stripping 2 beds...she climbed in bed with me again.

As she lay there with a cold compress on her head, holding my hand, she said, "Mommy, I'm so glad you can take care of me."

"Me too." I replied. "What a gift it is that I get to be with you and take care of you."

"Mommy, what do the little children do who don't have a Mommy and Daddy to love them and care for them? Who helps them when they get sick? Are they all alone?"  And she started crying at such an awful thought.

I joined right in with her.

I talked with her about our friends who are foster parents and adoptive parents. How God sets the lonely in families. How sometimes the children stay alone - even when they are sick. Or how some children may be with their mommy and daddy - but aren't safe and loved and cared for.

That is when she said,
"Why did God pick me to have it so good? I don't think I thank Him enough."

So, last night, God used my 7 year old munchkin to challenge me. To change my perspective. To say again,

Why did God pick me to have it so good? 

I don't think I thank Him enough.

And that, is a sweet moment indeed.

~Whitney

 Copyright 2012

Bandwagon time.....

Sometimes, this girl (who likes to think she is unique) finds a bandwagon that is so good - so fantastic - she just has to jump on.

Which is really hard to do, because this white girl really doesn't jump.

But this idea of talking about what you are thankful for in light of Thanksgiving Day....is a really, really, good one.

So, in a nutshell, here is what I'm thankful for:  Rarely getting what I want.

Yep.

This is why:

If I had gotten what I wanted for my life......
I wouldn't have married My Love, because the military was not for me.
I wouldn't have four children by the time I was 29, because I wanted longer "couple" time with My Love.
I wouldn't be in the church I'm in, because I didn't want to live on the East Coast.
I wouldn't have been present at the birth of my nephew, because I wanted to move to Japan.

(And this is just the short list!)

There is a bit of a trend....can you spot it?

Basically,  the Author of my story likes me to trust Him.

A LOT.

I'm very thankful for how patiently He teaches me to trust Him, to not worry,  

and to check my perspective.

Regarding perspective, my crew has been sick for quite a few days now...which means I'm not really sleeping, Boy Bean is only happy if he is cuddling me, Bitty Bean has an obscene case of whining, and Jumping Bean and String Bean are emotional volcanoes.

Good times people, good times.

Here were thoughts at the end of a day when someone was crying for NINE STRAIGHT HOURS.....
(This is loosely based on a song from the 70's? 60's? I don't really know)

I love little noisy tots

Carpets full of spots

Messy.....everything

And laundry

I love unexpected hugs

Gifts that are bugs

Clothing being tugged

And kisses

And I love you too

I love never having silence

Knowing every prince

Songs from the potty

And fingerprints

I love kissing away tears,

Praying you through fears,

Turned "on" listening ears,

And Oxiclean

And I love you too!

I love early morning cuddles

Joy at rainy puddles

Wobbly toddles

And sound machines

I love riotous laughs,

Yummy smells after bath, 

Having fun with math!

And my dishwasher

And I love you too!

What things are you thankful for? What things to you have to turn around for perspective to BE thankful for?

~ Whitney

Copyright 2011

Fun Times...

So, SuperMOM, I am not.

Because Wednesday night....around 3:30am....I wanted to break down crying.

What caused this eruption of emotion?

Puke.

I was puked on....for the second time.....in one hour.

I am not cut out for anything medically related - but God has a sense of humor and still allows me to experience other people's bodily fluids exploding all over me.

Poor Jumping Bean woke up at 2am throwing up....well, she was technically still asleep...but I heard her hacking and went running into her room.  When I saw the puke, I did what any sane-mama would do....I scooped her up and ran into the NOT-carpeted bathroom.  And started making very loud I'm-totally-grossed-out noises.  Thankfully, that woke up My Love.

Poor man.

While I stripped and bathed Jumping Bean to get the food particles out of her hair.....he stripped the bed.
We were hopeful - oh-so-hopeful - that it was a one-time thing.

We were wrong.

So Jumping Bean and I got to hang out in the living room, watch Little Einsteins, snuggle under the blankets, and I got to periodically catch puke in a bucket and then run her to the bathroom for the extra treat from this particular-brand-of-flu.

Super fun.

Not.

(Yeah - I went there. I'm so-totally-90's.)

The were two super-aewsome moments that happened though it all.....

1. Boy Bean decided to be hungry and wanted to nurse for an hour of the double-whammy-every-20-minutes with Jumping Bean.  Brings Multi-tasking to a whole new level.

2.  At one point...moments after throwing up....I brought a wet rag to wipe my little Jumping Bean's face.  She looked up at me with those big blue eyes and said, "Mommy, this is best treat ever. I love getting to have special time with you."

That's how you know you have more than one child....they are HAPPY to be sick in the middle of the night because they get a  parent all to themselves!

(For the record, none of the pictures were taken during the illness. Not like you thought they were!)

Copyright 2011

Where Have I Been?????

Well world, I have been extremely slack on posting for the past two weeks.

Wanna know why????

First, I couldn't talk. 

Which, you would think, should not mess with a person's ability to write. But in my case - it totally screws up my thought process. I have to read the words out loud....or at least say the sentences as I type....or I can't come up with a blessed thing to say.

Please feel free to make fun of me now.

Then....I couldn't MOVE. My back went completely out....not exactly sure why. But I do know that Boy Bean helped my back feel like it was 128 by flipping into the worst possible position and then kicking my back.

Plus side? I know the man-child has some seriously strong legs.
Down side? I had to spend 2 whole days crawling on my hands and knees....barely. And I couldn't lift my children for 6 straight days.

I was in so much pain I couldn't sit at the computer....I could only lay on the couch with an ice pack. Hence, no posting. The pain level was actually very close to that of active labor...I would break out in a cold sweat just trying to go to the bathroom.

It has not been my favorite week ever.

Except.

Well, except for the fact that my complete inability to care for myself and the beans gave me the amazing gift of being cared for. By a huge team of people. 

Really. I had NO idea I needed sooo many people to keep my life going.

But when you can't pick your children up....it is REALLY hard to get them into a Suburban. And out of it. And down the stairs. Or up the stairs. Or in the bath. Or....well, you get the idea.

When you can't stand up straight....it is REALLY hard to reach the cups. Or the food. Or the Bean's clothes. Or pretty much anything.

And it is REALLY, REALLY hard for somebody like me....someone who likes to take care of themselves and not bother people to help them.....to be forced to completely rely on the kindness of others. But what a blessing it was. 

However, I was struck by the hilarity of my situation when half - yes, half - of the people helping me.....were pregnant as well. And due BEFORE me. 

In fact, I'm pretty sure people were questioning the actual relationship between me and my sister-in-law as we traveled together over the weekend. 

She came to my rescue to drive all 4 of us girls 8 hours to be with family over Thanksgiving.

At each stop two very pregnant women would slowly and gingerly unload from the Suburban. (I'm 32 weeks along and she is 36 weeks) Then came the in depth process of unloading all the other females from the car....String Bean....Jumping Bean....Bitty Bean....and Girl-Cousin-who-is-the-same-age-as-Bitty-Bean.  It was a LOT of Estrogen in the car. 

I'm pretty certain people thought we were Sister-WIVES. 

So, while I'd rather not repeat this week of pain and challenge....I am truly thankful for it. I have been blessed beyond belief by an amazing group of people who came to my rescue.

And THAT is where I have been.

Copyright 2010

Drama, Drama....

I am NOT Superwoman.

But, if I WAS....I found my krypotnite.

Laryngitis.

Please tell me how a mom of three super-energetic-beans who cannot call in sick to work is supposed to parent and keep said beans from killing themselves without a VOICE!!!

I will tell you how.....

Charades. 

And hand-clapping. LOTS of hand-clapping.

This morning I woke up with a wicked sore throat....an achy body...and absolutely no ability to speak above a whisper. (And no appetite...which is exceptionally weird for a pregnant lady) Anyway, I guess my dramatic abilities were getting rusty and God thought this was as good a way as any to get me practicing. It is also AMAZING how well these children of mine CAN listen...when all I can do is whisper (barely) they are quiet as little mice! And I don't have to repeat ANYTHING. 

How can that be???????!!!!!

Unfortunately for them, they have now shown me what they are capable of....bring on some big changes when the voice comes back! HA!

Today I have been made acutely aware of two things:

I talk. A LOT. A LOT.

 and

God has a serious sense of humor.

Copyright 2010

Time to whip out the check-lists....

So, I've mentioned before that we are preparing for our first deployment in 3 years... to explain how much life has happened since the husband was last away, here's a quick summary...

We only had 1 child...this time we have 3 and one in the pod.

(Told you it would be quick!)

Since it has been awhile since I've flown solo....I decided to make a list of items I need to have on hand before he leaves:

Infant Tylenol, Children's Tylenol, Benadryl, bandaids, and a teething ring.
Rolls of coins  - for the laundromat
Mechanic's phone number - for the flat tire, or leak, or whatever-could-possibly-go-wrong-with-the-car.
Batteries and candles - we lose electricity almost every time it storms
Obstetrician and Pediatrician on speed dial

Well, I am sure you are thinking, "What an odd list of things to have on hand!" I can assure you it is not. Nor is it overkill.  There is a Murphy's law that seems to relate to the Navy....Everything that can go wrong, will. Immediately AFTER the ship pulls out of port.  (Okay, so that is actually my own saying.  But it really holds true!)

You probably think I am exaggerating....I wish I was...but I'm not! Don't believe me?

Once - the day after he left for 3 months- Canaan came down with the flu. And shared with me.  Then she cut 4 teeth - in one week.(Did I mention she also got an Upper Respiratory Infection less than 24 hours after the flu? And that I was still in my first trimester with Lena? And that we were prepping to move?)
Another time - the week he left - she had a double ear infection. The night before we flew out of state for a friends wedding. And the airline lost our luggage when we returned. And, my washing machine died. With a load of clothes in it. And our car had a flat tire.

Can I prepare for every-single-possible-thing that can go wrong? Nope. But I can try!  This time, I am just hoping the meltdown-breakdown-illness holds off until week 2...we have a wedding out of town that 3 of the 4 of us are in and I really don't want to be the reason people remember it!

Copyright 2010

A bit of a (humorous) history

In light of my being pregnant for the 4th time and encountering the joys and challenges that brings... I have been feeling rather nostalgic. As I limped around the house yesterday feeling like I had the flu - I first praised the Lord for the Baby growing inside, and then recalled that I actually DO get the flu... EVERY TIME I am pregnant. So, in the spirit of mass education, (and hopefully allowing you your laugh for the day at my expense) I am going to be sharing some of my more interesting moments from pregnant history over the next few weeks.... Here's to story #1

In August of 2005 I was 8 months pregnant with our first child. I was as big as a beached whale - and hoped everyday that I managed to shove my swollen feet into matching shoes (I had no idea if they matched, since I hadn't seen my feet in a very long time.) I was also alone for the majority of my pregnancy since my hubby was off galavanting through the Caribbean and Europe with the Navy ship on which he was stationed. (But that is really not the point of the story)
Anyway, during my 34th week I managed to contract food poisoning. What Joy. I was throwing up every 20 minutes for 4 hours - which is never fun, but imagine trying to do that with a bowling ball attached to your stomach! Once I finally was able to reach my doctor they instructed me to go directly to the hospital. Thankfully, I only lived 10 minutes from the hospital, so I waited to throw up one more time and then waddled down to my car and hoisted myself in. (Did I mention it was 2 in the morning??)
Unfortunately, that was the only time I needed to puke in less than 20 minutes. Naturally. So I found myself pulling to the side of the road, getting out of my car, squatting on the edge of the road, and throwing my guts up. Suddenly, lights came up behind me - and in my Oh-so-rational-state - I knew I was about to have my car stolen and be killed. Seriously. I mean, I was probably the easiest car jacking target ever. Fortunately for ME, it was a Policeman who stopped to assess the situation. UNfortunately for him, he was probably fresh out of the Academy and convinced I was in labor... and he looked about 12. When he saw my girth and the tears streaming down my face - he was not the calmest person around. In fact, he totally started freaking out!
He started yelling "Don't have this baby now!!! I gotta get you to the hospital!!"
I looked up at him inhaled all the composure I had left, and said "SHUT UP! I am not having a baby! I have food poisoning." Naturally he didn't hear me.
So again I said "SHUT. UP. I am ill - I'm NOT in LABOR!!!"
Finally he heard me and offered to drive me the rest of the way to the hospital. I was happy to take him up on his offer so I lumbered over to the squad car and started to open... the back door. Well, I didn't know! He got all flustered and directed me to the front seat, which I found exceptionally cool. (That was my one and only time ever riding in a cop car)
He radioed ahead to the hospital and said "I have a massively pregnant woman I'm bringing to the ER - have a wheelchair ready!"
Then he looked at me apologetically and sheepishly said "Sorry - but you are HUGE!" (Really wasn't the best apology - but at least he was accurate!) We arrived at the hospital and they met me with a wheel chair. The policeman then kindly took my keys and went back to bring my car to the hospital! He brought my keys up to my room, checked on me, and then went off to continue helping the other crazy people in our city.

Thankfully, I survived and now have an extremely grand story to regale the generations with! Have you ever had an experience where all went wrong but turned out right?