Counting Blessings

January 10th my mom texted Mr. H and I and said a tree fell on the cars in the driveway.  We drove over to see how we could help.  My youngest brother came over too  When we saw the aftermath, we soon realized that we were going to need more help.  With one email, we were able to have about 10 more people show up.

We are blessed.  People from church and even my parents neighbors came over to help.  The weather was cold, windy, and rainy, but I think the guys somewhat enjoyed using their chainsaws and being manly men.  

Unfortunately, my dad's big red truck is totaled and my other brother's car has scratches on it.  My dad was very upset about his truck, he loved it.  When Mr. H tried to talk to him about a med-sized truck and my dad stated, "If I can't have a full sized truck, I don't want a truck at all!"  He is a big baby about it.  So far, my parents are still looking, or should I say discussing a replacement.  Despite everything with the tree and chainsaws no one was hurt.  And with that, I am grateful!

Mother's Day

This year, Mother's Day was a little different from other years.  Saturday night I worked, so when I came home on Sunday, while everyone was getting ready for church I was getting ready to sleep.  But I didn't want to sleep in too much because I had to be at work for a morning shift on Monday, making the Night/Day shift transition is hard.  While everyone was at church I slept until about 1pm.

We did a a few things around the house/yard.  Mr. H was going to make a nice steak dinner, but then my mom invited us over.  She had made homemade pasties...which are one of my favorite meals.  I could seriously eat these morning, noon, and night.  My mom even bagged a couple up for me to take home, which was a great surprise.

Once we got home, it was getting close to bed time.  The boys took their baths and got ready.  I wanted a picture with them,even if I looked horrible, no make-up still sleepy look.  But I love my family and they love me no matter what I look like, so here's the picture

At school KK grew some grass for me.  The grass is supposed to look like his hair.  I suggested we plant the grass in the yard and he did NOT want to do that.  So the grass sits, in the cup, on the outside window sill.  I love that he does stuff like this for me.  

He also wrote about me and these are my two favorite things he's said.  I love him so much.  He really is the best 1st born I could have asked for.  He is a great example to his brother.  

Mr. H. is in the works with getting me set up with his Mother's Day gift to me.  He is going to be sending me on a vacation for just myself in a Gypsy Wagon.  Now some people may not think that's a vacation or that it may be boring to be by yourself.  But, you see, my battery of life recharges when I am by myself, when I don't have a talk to anyone.  Mr. H. is the opposite, he likes talking to people, which I am grateful for, I love how outgoing he is, I love that he can make friends with a lot of people.  I like to be with myself or a select few people, so this little get-away is the perfect thing for me.  We haven't narrowed down the days that I'm going yet.  Work and Mr.H's school will make an impact, but I can't wait to go.  

And that was Mother's Day for me 2016

So far in 2017

As most, our house is hoping that this year brings new opportunities and great growth.  Who knew that not even 2 weeks into the year we would be be facing our biggest outbreak of illness.  Last week Mr. H had to call off 2 days of work for his illness.  Monday I had to call off work to take both boys to the doctor and they both were diagnosed with strep throat.  KK was so bad, he had a hard time walking and was shivering with fever for a good 24 hours (Caleb reacts very harsh to the strep virus).  ET only had a wet cough and low appetite. Both started their antibiotics, KK slept most of the day under our electric blanket. I kept them home from school Monday and Tuesday to allow the meds to do their thing.  In those 2 days I scrubbed and cleaned door knobs, handles, bedding, blankets, etc.  I wanted the illness to leave this house as fast as it came.  Wednesday, the boys went to school and we went to work.  While at work, I was cold, shivering, and couldn't get warm.  I hurt all over.  I didn't want to eat.  I took my temp throughout the day and it reached 100.8 at the end of the day.  I'm grateful I work with physicians, because I was able to obtain a prescription to start, which I got filled at the pharmacy at the hospital. But towards the end of my shift, I was useless.  I came home, took a scolding hot bath, turned the electric blanket up, took sleeping meds and went to bed.  Mr. H. didn't want to disturb me and went to bed on the couch that night.  I called my mom Thursday to ask if she could pick up the boys from school, which she agreed.  She was still dealing with insurance things from the tree.  When she came to my house after picking up ET from school in the AM, she was worried and stayed at my house until after she picked up KK.  She's such a good mom.  I was useless on Thursday too.  Friday, I was feeling worse, despite the antibiotics, I was useless.  I called my doctor and was prescribed something different.  After 24 hours on the new meds, I'm feeling 50% back to normal.  I'm sure I'll continue to feel better the longer I've been on the meds.  Throughout all of this, I feel that all Moms should have immunity from illness.  We are the glue of the family that somehow holds everything together.  I didn't realize how fast my kids make messes, or how high the trash piles, or how many dishes are used, or how dirty my floors are before I start to pick up the messes, take out the garbage, clean the dishes, or vacuum the floor.

I'm hoping that during 2017 we keep some of these resolutions:

• Continue towards being debt free
• Make healthy choices to live a healthy life and be active
• Make more memories
• Meet new friends
• Take chances and be more confident
• Reduce stress
• Have a garage sale
• Become organized
• Journal more

We shall see was 2017 has in store for us.  I'm hoping that this outbreak of illness will be our only for at least this year.