Now THATS a birthday

As previously mentioned, Birthdays and I don't get along too well. In fact the only good thing EVAH to come 'round my dreaded B-day is...

Yet another birthday.

THIS birthday is much better- much more worth celebrating. And this was a good one!

Little Miss Clara turned 2 today- and was spoiled rotten- as it should be. Gifts and cupcakes and balloons and new dresses- the little girly girl had a great day. And her good day, pretty much wipes my not so good one away.

Thanks Claire~ you always find a way make momma smile :)

breathe out...pause....deep breath

Looks like I am jumping back into the fray.

In the past week I have ... had to say good bye. I met new people, and got to visit with an old friend. I had great phone calls, and tearful emails. I dealt with what I had to, survived what I thought would be unbearable, and am still here to tell the tale. I was scared, anxious, lonesome, and sad. I was brave, and in the moment, supported and true.

I got to go out, had the chance to stay in. I laughed, and I cried. I (hopefully) showed my kids how to be stronger than you think you can be. I was supported and supporting, and showed them that I will always be there for them. No matter what, no matter when, no matter why.

Last week I Lived.

It was hard. It was bumpy, but I kept it together and kept my head above water. For the most part- and that's what counts. THIS week looks terrifying, and exciting all mixed together...that's how this week begins.

Stop.

Take a deep breath.

I'm headed back in...

diving back in for more...

Oh- another fun filled and exciting Birthday survived. Man, I hate those things. If I could wipe this date out of existence- I don't think I could find the words to adequately describe the happiness that would bring me.

THAT date tend to draw "bad things" in like a toilet drain. Everything gets twisted around, and it goes down hill from there. And none of it is any good.

Honestly, THAT date literally makes me ill. There have been MANY cancelled parties, trips to the circus...and other activities... due to my many birthdays as well as my tendency to blow chunks before the festivities.

I know. You wish you were me.

To add to this wonderful pattern of disasters, sprinkle in (more than a couple) of forgotten ones. Mis-remembered ones... and a tip to all you hubbies out there- DON'T EVER argue with your wife on when her birthday is. She knows when it is. Honest.

I have had a few birthdays that came with life altering news... and that's always a nice added stressor. Come ON!! Getting old... (older) is traumatic enough- don't you agree? Knowing that it comes hand in hand with some always unexpected twist- that is completely and totally predictable in its uniqueness~ it about sucks the life out of you!

And I hate those surprises.

But somehow- I manage to survive. Survived another one- and hope next years will be better. What ELSE could happen? I really REALLY don't want to know~

O- I- Wish...

I have no idea WHAT I'd wish for. A nap sounds good. So do brownies. Ummmm brownies!!!

SO much is going on in the next few weeks, I am sure my brain will stop spinning sometime. Maybe.

I keep waiting for the monkees to do something annoying, or dorky, or really cute- so I have something to write about, but no luck so far. Too wrapped up in my own boring drama... And I'd really rather not be.

In order to break up the fun and excitement of my own personal anxiety... we have been moving furniture. And cleaning. And more cleaning. I know- unbelievably high levels of excitement.

So I am waiting for something. Everything. For the beginning. for the end-

Ch-ch-ch-change

The more things change the more they stay the same. Once I think I have things under control and planned and figured out, and I am getting used to or comfortable- Whamo.

Big changes are a brewin' and I am just trying to remind myself to remember to breathe.

In... Out... In

And know I will survive this.

I hope

Shots are on me

Yup it's THAT time again. Took all my July Babies in for their immunizations... I realized I have had more children born in the month of July than most families have kids. Period.

I love my monkee herd, I really do!

Any who- we did the group thing where the Doc loads us all up in one room and thus contains us while the paper work is organized. We discussed errant goat head injuries. We discussed Wasp issues. We talked about little boys with "Al Bundy" issues.

It went surprisingly well. One follow up appointment with an eye doctor, a new eczema prescription, 9 booster shots (with NO tears) AND a crash course in how to use a bee sting kit.

Because of his apparent skill in locating, enticing and some how annoying the scary wasp factions of country living... T has developed an allergy to the little beasties. Enough so that the Doc thinks we should carry around a kit, just in case. He's not to the point of "get stung- quit breathing" but I'd feel a lot better to have it and never ever EVAH need to use it, than to need it and not have it available.



Sigh. So the kids are healthy, ornery, and otherwise perfectly near normal in nearly every way, nothing like a little extra "sumthin' somethin" to make a day memorable.

Its a good thing~

In the last 48 hours we have dealt with- > a fall, including scrapes on the face > someone stepped on a nail > multiple wasp stings to the eye area > freaking out because the area swelled up and it was cool when he thought he had new ninja powers, but not so cool when he couldn't see. > pink eye > bike incident on gravel causing road rash > a stubbed toe > ingrown toe nail > AND an infected knee with the thorn STILL IN THERE... but didn't say anything about it until she couldn't walk on it.

It's probably a good thing I'm in nursing school, huh.