Sunday, May 11, 2014

Our Family: Week of 5/5-5/11

On Monday morning, my kids woke up to some "Star Wars" pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.


Thanks, Aunt Kayty, for the wrappers!

Later that day, my faithful Boppy died.


It's given many years of service.

It fought a good fight.

Sniff!

After getting only 3 hours of sleep the day before (due to Grace's ER visit), Mike came home and fell asleep, thinking he had the day off to make it up.  Around 10:00 we got a text from his boss, asking where he was.

Apparently there was a mix-up in the schedules.

So, Mike went in to work an 8-hour shift, came home and got 3 more hours of sleep, and then went to work at the hotel.

Have I ever mentioned how thankful I am for that guy?

Because I am.

That evening we "celebrated" Cinco de Mayo with some enchiladas, homemade salsa, and chips.

***

On Tuesday, Sam went back to the pediatric dentist for a re-check.

One side is healing well; the other had started to re-attach, so she broke it open with massage, and instructed me to continue another week of massage.

It's horrible; but the only thing that gets me through is that if it re-attaches, we have to go through the entire thing again, and my Mama heart can't take that.

So, I will be more diligent about the massaging.

That evening, Adam and I had a pirate-themed "Mother and Son" activity.

We made sculptures of scripture characters, made a flag of things that were important to us (like Captain Moroni), played Article of Faith jeopardy, dodgeball, and ate ice cream sundaes.




It was really fun to get to spend one-on-one time with him.

And, in case you wondered, the things that are important to Adam on his flag are his family and bacon.

;)

The best part of the night, though, was just watching him.

Because it made me remember some important stuff.

Of a few things I am certain:

Adam talks too much.  He will lose anything.  Even the pencils his teacher tapes to his desk.  He can be way too silly when it's a time to be serious.  He forgets everything - to hang up his towel, bring out his dirty clothes, and to do his homework.

And all of those things drive me c-r-a-z-y.

However, tonight I watched him stop in the middle of a dodgeball game to help a missionary pick up all of the items that had fallen out of his pocket when he bent over to retrieve a ball.  I saw him pick up a game by himself, when the other boys who had been playing left.  And I watched him go out of his way to talk to a boy in Cub Scouts who doesn't have many friends.

After the activity was over, on the drive home, I thought, "If he never, ever, ever remembers the rest of his life to bring his dirty clothes out to the hamper, maybe that's okay."

Because he is good and kind.

And I think that those things matter much more than a lost pencil.

***

On Wednesday, I made Josh's day by letting him play on the computer and buying Capri Suns (we gave up juice boxes/Capri Suns up this school year).

I think I am feeling a little guilty about all of the "Sam" time and am trying to make up for it.

And he is such a doll about sharing me with Sam... how can I not spoil him a bit?

;)


We still "have" a "pet" cat.

It made its way inside and we found him all warm and cozy in the window.


Though, honestly, judging from this picture that Josh snapped of Grace that I saw after-the-fact, I have no idea why he stays.


Bologna must be mighty tasty.

***

On Thursday Adam was awarded "Owl of the Month."

This would be Adam's rendition of a tearful acceptance speech...


I love this about their school.

Each month each teacher chooses one child from their class that reflects the character attribute of the month that the school is focusing on that month.

I love that it gives kids that aren't absolutely perfect (because, really, what kid is) a chance to be recognized for the good they do.

This month's attribute was "courage."

They chose it because last month Adam's class went on a field trip to the rollerskating rink.  Lots of kids (including Adam) fell over and over.  Most gave up after a few falls.

Adam got up each time.

And several teachers told him how awesome and courageous that was, and he got recognized for that.

I love it.

***

Originally the Father & Sons campout had been planned for Friday and Saturday.  Then it got cancelled, but Mike already had the days off.

So we got a 4-day weekend with him.

I went early Friday morning back to the lactation consultant for a re-check to see how things are going.

Sam is still learning how to suck properly, but he's doing much better (and he gained the 7 ounces he needed to for the week, so it's not holding him back.)

My supply had started to dip again with Sam having a hard time nursing after his procedure, so she ordered me to bake a batch of oatmeal cookies and add 4 tablespoons of Brewer's Yeast.

And I mean, if someone's going to force me to eat a cookie...

;)

It seemed to do the trick.

After my appointment, the car was waaayyy slow to start... it took a few tries.

So, when I got home, Mike and the boys replaced the battery.



And did a little relaxing.


***

Sam loves me and all, but I adore the way he just lights up around his brothers and sister.

You have to see it... he just beams.

He really loves those guys.



And he loved having an extra-long weekend with them... he was so smiley and giggly.

We went to Adam's basketball game, where he made two baskets, and had a great time.

Then we went shopping.

Mike was responsible for the treats for the ward for Mother's Day.  He went with cheesecake and strawberries.

The best prices were at Sam's Club.

However, we haven't renewed our membership for 2 years... every time we went to do it, something would come up budget-wise.

We went in to try and see if we could do a one-day thing, when they told us that our membership was good through August.

We were honest and said we hadn't renewed it, but they insisted it was fine.


So we went with it.

I'm thankful for that tender mercy.

***

On Sunday it was Mother's Day.

The talk were beautiful, the cheesecake was delicious, and the kids gifted me a necklace they had made in Primary, and a card from Grace that she had made at school.





After church, Mike took his normal Sunday-get-ready-for-the-hotel nap, while I tried to not pout.

I haven't had more than 4 hours of sleep in months... I have never been so exhausted.

I want a nap!

I'm such a baby/whiner.

I know.

But, it was Mother's Day.

I wanted a nap, too!

So I pouted a bit.

And took care of the kids.

I had planned to make one of my favorite meals that evening, when I decided that I would gift myself the gift of not cooking.

So I made boxed mac 'n cheese instead.

These sweet kiddos that I have the privilege of mothering were pleased as punch about that dinner.

;)

And happy kids are always a good thing on Mother's Day.

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