A Most Unusual Drive-Thru Order

How many times have we, since moving to the area 8 years ago, driven through Albany on the interstate, but have never made the trek into the city? It is the state capitol after all, but we never really had reason to go there.

Following Derek's recent seizures, his doctor and a panel of pediatricians suggested he see a pediatric neurologist. And to see one you must travel an hour south to the city of Albany. Not knowing where I was going, I took Ben (and his GPS) with me. I didn't feel confident venturing into the city and finding my way through the large medical complex by myself with Derek. And I really wanted Ben to be able to be involved in this appointment with me. So, he took the afternoon off and the three of us braved an adventure. (Note to self....do not trust GPS 100%.)

We are so thankful for the physician that we met yesterday. She had a great "bedside manner" with Derek, and was very helpful to Ben and I in understanding seizures and how to care for a child who has them. I know I felt better and more at peace about it after consulting with her. She did a complete neurological exam on Derek (which was completely normal), but I don't think he even knew he was being "tested". She made it fun, and even let him spend quite a bit of time playing with her "flashlight". And I was very appreciative for her hesitancy to prescribe medicine for a 3 year old little boy. I was concerned about that. She wants to do more testing before deciding if meds are necessary, and reassured us that most childhood seizures are outgrown by adulthood.

He was a very good boy there, and actually had fun. On the way out the door, Derek said he was hungry for a snack. "I think we should go to McDonalds, " he stated. I think children instintively know to go for the fun stuff when they have a rare moment of mom and dad all to themselves! After the GPS took us a very long way out of our way and into rush hour traffic (next time I'm going to MapQuest the way back from the hospital!), we finally got to a McDonalds. Well, don't you know this very hungry boy who refused to nap on the way to the hospital was now asleep. I tried to wake him and ask him what he wanted. He was really out. "Do you want chicken nuggets, a strawberry shake, a pie?" He mumbled "yes". Great. "Which one would you like?" He mumbled again, and as I started giving him options again, he said, "Maybe some trash."

Good thing our drive thru attendant (who didn't seem to speak English very well) didn't over-hear that request, I wonder what we would have gotten!

I know many of you who read this blog have been asking about and praying for Derek since this began. Thank you for praying for him! We truly appreciate it! We're thankful to know that God is in control and that no detail of our son's life and development is unknown to him. The next step in diagnosis and care is to have a Sleep Deprived EEG later this month. Sounds like fun, huh? Depriving a 3 year old boy of sleep....who ever came up with that idea? :-)

and Percy, too!

If you are also a mom of a little boy who's obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine, you'll like this one.

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Today we were having Bible Class after lunch, sitting around the kitchen table. We are learning about the life of Christ, and today's lesson was on Jesus calling his disciples. We were reviewing, and I asked them to tell me one of the names of Jesus's disciples.

Evan says, "Thomas".

Carter's turn...."James",

and I should have seen it coming....

"Derek," I said, "can you name one?"

He shouts out very confidently, "Percy!"

We all burst out laughing. Apparently, I had lost Derek's attention during the lesson, and he thought we were naming steam engines! I'll have to thumb through my Bible, and see if I can find that disciple. :-)

Waiting for Mr. Wonderful

..ok it's 11:45pm, and my husband has still never made it home from work today. He's got the on-call duty this weekend at work. This looks to be a not so fun weekend for him and for me and the boys, but I suppose if I didn't have heat, I'd be happy to have him show up at my door at 11 o'clock at night. Hmmm...that gives me an idea. Can I sabotage the boiler and call the answering service to send their cutest and nicest tech to MY house? Just kidding, but it would be tempting. However, if I sabotaged our heating system, I think he'd be plenty unthrilled with me!

I tried to keep myself busy (who am I kidding...like I need to help the boys with that!) because I hate it when Ben's gone at night. I played several high stakes games of Thomas and Friends My First Uno with the boys. I sheepishly admit on my blog that I lost to a 3 year old....3 times!

Nana and Papa came over and ate Tomato Basil pizza and Strawberry Shortcake with us, so we at least had company for supper. I also hate to eat supper without Ben. There's not much I like to do without him! :-(

Funny of the day:

Earlier today, Owen was whining and I was trying to figure out what he was upset about. Then he finally said, "Derek hurt me...on 'poop'ose!" Guess I need to help him pronounce "purpose" correctly....but it was so cute and gave me a laugh.....which was something I needed today!

A Cutie Patootie

Owen woke up with this interesting hairdo after his nap. Funny how bed head looks adorable on kids, and awful on mom! I couldn't resist taking a picture of his little biff hair style. He is my little cutie patootie for sure.

This was him saying "Buzz Lightyear...to infinity and beyond!" pronouncing it like only a 2 year old can. (We're a little bit obsessed with Buzz in our house right now.)

Looking at these pictures, I again think he looks alot like my mother in law. I seem to be the only one that sees it, though. Don't worry, Gramma, it's not the hair! :-)

Where's my horses?

Sometimes, as a parent, it hits you how many figures of speech we use and don't even think about it. You're quickly reminded when your children don't get what you're saying and take you very literally.

Tonight Owen was being very impatient, as 2 year olds are prone to be. He tends to do something my mother-in-law calls "dinging", a habit I'm eager to help him break: Repeating himself over and over, impatiently "waiting" for you to act on his request or to give him your attention. His impatience was wearing thin on my nerves, and I said, "Owen, I'm working on it. Hold your horses." Wrong thing to say. Owen got very concerned and started dinging, "Hold my horses...hold my horses....(while looking through his basket of stuffed animals)....hold my horses....hold my horses.....Mommy, WHERE'S MY HORSES?"

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Joke of the day from the 3 year olds' peanut gallery:

Derek: "Why did the hot dogs cross the road?"

Carter: "I don't know. Why?"

Derek: "To get to the chicken on the other side!"

Carter: "That's not funny."

Growing and Becoming

My first-born. Kindergarten picture. Growing fast. Handsome face. Sweet heart. Love.

I'm Going On Vacation!

I saw this quote this morning, and I thought....that is how I feel right now! "By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

I say that not to complain. I always hated it when I was unable to conceive and I would hear mothers complain about their kids. I wanted a baby so bad, that I found that kind of attitude offensive. That's not to say my children never make me want to tear my hair out, or so exasperated I don't know what to do with them. But, honestly, I wouldn't want it any other way....ok, I would like them to be more obedient and kinder to each other, but that's part of what the job is all about...teaching them those things. I've never had a better job than I have right now...being a stay at home mom. Ok, I really dislike that term. It sounds like a lazy unproductive person. As though we just sit home, watch tv, and eat bon bons. I prefer the term "professional mom"! It is my profession after all. I recently lost a part time job of 10 hours a week, that I had held for the last 21 months, due to the store being closed; and though at first I was very disappointed, I came to quickly see it as a blessing. I wanted to go back to focusing on my 24/7 job of professional mom. I believe God gave me the nudge I needed to do that. When I had to go to work, and when I was there, I just wanted to be home. People I worked with assumed I got the job to "get away" from my kids. Nothing could have been further from the truth. It was simply a financial need. So, now that my job has ended, and I'm back home enjoying the craziness that comes with motherhood, I am happy. And less stressed, even though I just lost some income. Ironic, huh?

But there is a point of exhaustion we all reach as mothers, when like my family, we are fighting the second week of a nasty stomach bug, there are decisions to make, things break down, 3 toddlers not so happily co-existing under one roof, homeschooling a kindergartener, potty training a 2 year old, a potty trained 3 year old is regressing, 2 weeks worth of menus to plan, grocery list to make, coupons to compile, groceries to purchase, errands to run, transmission going in vehicle, hunting for an affordable used vehicle, and loads of laundry that seem to reproduce themselves when there is sickness in the house and potty training going on.

So, what is my response going to be? I'm at that exhausted point, to be honest. A vacation sounds like a dream, but then there is reality. There will be no vacation. There is no "time off" coming. So, to deal with today and its stresses, its challenges, its work, I need God to give me the strength, the patience, the calmness, the gentleness, and energy to do it all with grace. So, I'm going to take a little personal time, vacation time, unpaid time off, what have you, and refresh myself with time alone with God.

So, if like me, whether you're a mom needing a vacation, or you're an employee feeling overworked and stressed, or a housewife feeling underappreciated and bored with the monotony of it all, take a little unpaid time off as soon as you can, and "walk on the beach" with God. I think we'll all find life will look a little better afterwards!

To make you smile:

Carter's new joke...."Why did the banana go to the doctor?" "Because he wasn't peeling well!"

Two 3 year olds arguing about who was going to be first. After reprimanding them for being selfish and saying "me first", they quickly changed their tune. The started arguing about who was going to be second!

Happy Thursday, Everyone. It's a beautiful blue sky and sunshine today, here. Gods' mercies are new every morning.