Mother's Day

 

A 96 Hour Virus

I have discovered there is something worse than the 24 hour virus, Multiplying that with a family of four. I woke up early Thursday morning with a feeling that something wasn't quite right. It didn't take long to confirm my suspicions and by 8 am that morning I was in the ER with severe vomiting and diarrhea. Thank goodness for a mom who will drop everything and come running when tragedy strikes the Smith house. Todd made it home around 11 and took charge of the household while I was quarantined to the bedroom. The only thing harder than being sick when you are a mommy is listening to your two year old cry because mommy can't play with her.

I managed through Friday and although I was still not feeling up to parr, my only consolation was that Todd and the kids were feeling fine. Unfortunately, I spoke to soon. At one o'clock the next morning Todd and I were awakened by Madelynn's blood curdling screams. I knew instantly that something was wrong. Todd made it to her first and she threw up all over him. He changed his shirt and I sent him back to bed to listen for Zach while I nursed Madelynn. Bless her heart, the rest of the night she threw up about every 20 - 30 minutes. I felt powerless because all I could do is hold her and rub her back and hold a towel for her. Thankfully finally around 5 the Phenergan started to kick in she stopped throwing up. She was so weak that after the first or second time she got sick I would have to hold her up to make sure she didn't choke because she would just lay there while she was throwing up. Needless to say there wasn't much rest for me that night and when Todd got up with Zach at six he instisted I go to bed for awhile.

I slept till about 7:30 and got up concerned about how Madelynn was doing. Like most toddlers not understanding about sickness she was up acting like nothing had happened. About every hour or two she would get really quiet and ask to watch a movie and several times she wold end up falling asleep. (For those of you well aquainted with my daughter you know she must have been sick).

Well to make a long story short Zach got sick by Sunday morning and Todd by Sunday evening. He and Zach are camped out in the back bedroom right now resting as it usually leaves you pretty weak for a day ot two after.

As sick as I felt on Thursday I would have to say that there is no greater pain than watching the ones you care about suffer and not be able to do anything for them. I think back to all the times as I child that I was sick and that my brothers were sick and wonder how my mom had the strength to put one foot in front of the other somedays. There must be a supernatural strength given to Mothers for this very purpose. Todd and I both came from families were both parents worked and although I stay at home right now I have GREAT appreciation for all working mothers (especially since I did it with Madelynn). Todd and I were both blessed that our parents were the type that willingly struggled to give us the best even though the cost was often great. What it created in us, is a consistent work ethic and a strong sense of responsibility that is severely lacking in our society today. I hope that we will be able to set the same examples for our children because they too deserve the best!

Be it ever so humble There's no place like home

Well if there is anything I learned from our trip to San Antonio last summer, it's that you shouldn't take little ones on vacation for days at a time because they just don't like being away from home that long (especially in a hotel).

So mom and I and the two kids loaded up the mini van Friday for a mini vacation in East Texas. The day started at the Discovery Science Place in Tyler. Although Madelynn is only two she had a blast and could have stayed there all day. I knew better though and instisted that nap time was more important. We headed to Luby's for some good food and veggies (too much fast food gets old for everyone).

Then we were off to the children's park (mostly for a few pictures) the water falls are beautiful and so are the statues. If you are ever in Tyler Texas it is a don't miss for sure. By 1:30 we were settled into our room at the Wingate and ready for some serious napping. Of course Zach had slept in the van so he was wide awake while Madelynn slept which meant no rest for Mommy (such is life).

When Madelynn woke up we took the kids swimming in the indoor pool and it was Zach's first time. He loved the water and in fact he almost fell asleep just floating on the water. I always loved the water too and I think he will be like me.

After all the swimming it was Chuck E Cheese time. I'm am glad that Madelynn had a good time on all the rides, but I must say they sure didn't get famous on their award winning pizza. Those people are making a fortune. Nasty pizza, cheap games, cheap prizes that take at least 1000 tickets to purchase and you win like an average of 2 tickets a game. Oh well I guess the kids liked it so who cares.

That night my brother came to visit and Zach really liked that. He definitely was fascinated with him. He pretty much takes to anybody willing to talk to him and make funny faces.

The next morning we checked out and headed for Jacksonville to go to a drive thru Safari called Cherokee Trace. Madelynn loved seeing the animals but wasn't too hip on the idea of feeding them when they got too close to the car. Zach liked the kangaroos the best and everytime they hopped he did too! His Maw-Maw will probably have the bruises on her legs to prove it.

The funny thing about our whole adventure is that I think I broke my little toe that Friday morning while I was packing. I basically hobbled from one activity to another with a throbbing purple toe as my side kick.

Well I was exhausted by the time we made it home and I could tell the kids were too since they both crashed earlier than usual. It was fun while it lasted but I have to admit there is no greater feeling then crawling into your own bed when you are tired and you've been away from home. And judging from the way my kids slept, I think they feel the same way. Like the saying goes "BE IT EVER SO HUMBLE THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!"

Mother's Day

Well Mother's Day has come and gone and I have to say I feel like the whole weekend was one big Mother's Day. Todd and Madelynn went shopping Friday night and Zach spent the night with Maw-Maw. I should have learned by now to sit and chill when you get these rare moments of peaceful bliss, but I spent most of the evening straightening up (which for me is sometimes just as relaxing). Todd came home and like a kid before Christmas couldn't wait to give me my gifts.

I got some new cannisters for the kitchen, a CD and my favorite new candybar. The TAKE 5. If you haven't had a TAKE 5 yet, I recommend you get one as soon as possible. Some creative genius decided to put chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, peanuts, and pretzels all together and make the greatest invention in my opinion since the curling iron. Now I know what you are thinking, "Isn't that kind of an overload to the tastebuds?" That my friends is the genius, each bite has the perfect amount of each element. As you can tell I have done extensive research!

Back to Mother's Day weekend.....Saturday we got up, packed the van, picked up Zach and we were off to Mineola for Mineola May Days, we enjoyed the booths and food and smelled the great smells coming from all the different pits at the BBQ cook-off. Madelynn rode the Merry Go Round and several other carnival rides. Zach mostly just sat in the stroller but he did perk up when we went to watch the pet show. We made sure to get the kids nice and tired and like always we enjoyed a quite ride home as they both slept.

By the time Sunday arrived I was almost tired of the all the festivities. I had to bring a special gift to a friend at church along with two corsage boxes, a Mother's Day gift and card for Mom, my purse, my CD for the special at church, a tape someone had asked to borrow, 2 diaper bags, an extra bottle of formula, and Zach's baby food for lunch. I get tired just reading the list much less packing it all in the van. At least I didn't have to make lunch. Todd treated the family (along with my Mom) to lunch at the Country Buffet in Mineola. We thought we'd try and beat the church crowd, but I guess everyone had the same idea. Boy was it crowded. This time Madelynn went to Maw-Maw's and Zach slept on the way home with us.

I wish I could say that I had time to sit and reflect on the joys and pains of Motherhood but I'm lucky I remembered to brush my teeth. Besides Sunday night was the finale of Survivor!!! Don't even get me started on that. I will save my thoughts on Terri being the most deserving of all the survivor contestants thus far for another day.

Until then!

A Boat, A Tractor & A Waterhose

My kids had a blast today! It's amazing how your children remind you that true pleasure comes from the simple things in life. We took a ride in Paw-Paw's boat, and to Madelynn she couldn't have been happier if she were on a 50 ft yacht. In fact she prefers Paw-Paw's aluminum boat because when he goes fast, she can spread her arms out against the wind and she says that "she is flying". It was Zach's first time on the boat and the rhythm of the water put him right to sleep.

Madelynn came home and ate lunch and then followed suit with a 2 hour nap. Zach woke up and got to ride with Paw-Paw on the tractor. Riding on the tractor with Paw-Paw is a BIG treat in our family and is still Madelynn's favorite past time. The afternoon ended with drinking from(which lead to playing with) the waterhose.

Moments like these may fade from their memory because they are so small but they are the treasures that I will cherish for a lifetime. I awe at how blessed my kids truly are, and wonder how any kid passes through his or her childhood without a boat, a tractor or a waterhose.