Bye Bye Max

This is a hard post for me. I almost didn't post this, but I don't want to look back over my posts and have painted an unrealistic picture of this perfect family that I don't recognize. This blog is for me, and I need to post this because there is so much to learn from this experience.

After 3 months with Max I had to face the music, three small kids in the house and a puppy that was not house trained, and that chewed everything in his reach had put me over the edge. There was stress, tears, ruined furniture, soiled carpet--and then there were things the puppy did HA! Seriously, having the dog was as much work and as time consuming as having a 4th child. He was just so darn cute. I was attached, my kids were attached, but I was losing my mind taking the og out constantly, trying to watch him in the house , and then deal with the issues of the kids. I felt like my kids had taken a back burner to the needs of the dog. After one of those "moments" Z said he would ask around at work and see if anyone wanted Max. I wasn't expecting anyone to jump at the offer of a free "mutt" puppy that was driving me crazy, but I think the Lord knew that I needed an out. Z came home about a week later with the news that one of the guys he worked with would take Max. Z knows the guy well, he has 2 boys and a fenced in back yard. He had plans to make Max an outside dog with occasional visits in the house. A situation that I felt would be a better fit for Max, and hopefully help me hold onto what little sanity I have.

I knew that this was what had to be done, but deciding to actually give Max away was very difficult. The kids were very sad, S suffered the most. Still 3 weeks later, they talk about Max everyday. Sometimes I think I made the wrong decision, difficult or not I had made the commitment to bring Max into our family and to let my children fall in love with him. Only to have complete failure with the training of Max and 31/2 months later give him away. I had to be honest with S and tell her the truth about the dog. I had to come clean that mommy did not use the best judgement in getting the dog, and that I felt giving Max away was what we needed to do. She has been very understanding about the situation, but just sad about the fact that Max is no longer here.

She and I have both learned a lot about each other and ourselves during this situation. She has learned that life can be disappointing and that things do not always turn out like you want. When that happens you have to cope. She has broken my heart and made me proud all at the same time. While she still missed Max, she found ways within herself to deal with that. She helped me pack his "bags" sending his special toys with him, and picked out some favorite pictures of her and Max to put in a frame. I am happy to say that, although she still talks about Max she is not sad like she was at the beginning. She wishes we didn't have to give him away, but is glad he has a new family that is a better fit for him right now. It was very hard to watch her deal with this because I knew her pain was based on a decision I had made.

As for what I have learned... It will be a long time before we ever consider a new family pet. If we ever consider getting another dog it will have to have a fenced in back yard. I definitely should have thought out the decision to get a puppy, obviously I had forgotten how much work a puppy can be. I have also learned how I want my decisions to positively impact my family. As a mom, with kids I am beginning to realize that my decisions don't just impact me, they impact my kids as well. I know that S will be fine, she is a great kid and adaptable, but it hurt so much seeing her hurt from a decision I had made. Everything happens for a reason and in the end, Max was rescued from the pound and given and good home and we were a part of that. Maybe one day a long, long time from now we can return the favor and rescue someone from a pet that was a bad decision for them!!

Giving Thanks!

Tomorrow nearly everyone in the United States will sit down and enjoy some type of Thanksgiving meal with family. Growing up I have never been too impressed with Thanksgiving. I really don't like turkey much and as a child there was really nothing fun associated with Thanksgiving, unlike all the other holidays. As I get older, I am finally beginning to understand how important Thanksgiving is. Thanksgiving is not about a meal, although many have reduced it to that. It is about giving thanks to God Almighty for who He is and who we are through Him. When I think back to the first thanksgiving meal, probably every person at that table had lost a family member to disease, hunger, or just hardship from their journey. They lived in primitive huts in primitive conditions, but yet they still gave thanks to God. They didn't give God thanks because they lived in nice big houses, had great jobs, and lots of money. They gave God thanks because he is God and deserves our thanks and praise. As we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families, help us to give thanks, not just for what we have, but for who He is, regardless of our circumstances.

Carry Me X3!

I had to snag this picture of the kids going upstairs to take their naps. They have this habit of all 3 wanting Daddy to carry them upstairs. As the kids are getting bigger this is getting harder. I am not sure how much longer this tradition will be able to last. They absolutely love it, and Z does not have the heart to tell them he can't carry them anymore. So he just keeps on carrying them and they keep getting bigger and heavier!!!!

Cooking with Daddy!

This is what happens when Mommy leaves and Daddy and the kids make brownies!!!

Balanced???

I usually love the balance of being a mom and a nurse. I work 2 days a week 8:30-5:00 in the Recovery Room with a great group of women. It is such a blessing to be able to be home with my kids 5 days a week, but it is also nice to go to work, have adult conversation, miss my kids a little, take care of people who really need you,and for the most part are very appreciative of you being there. (Oh, and it also pays the mortgage!) Like I said, I usually love the balance of being a mom and nurse, Friday I felt a little "unbalanced". Let me just give you a run-down of my day.

6:30AM Get up get going, should have been up at 6.
7:00AM Get S and E up and moving
7:30AM S and Daddy out the door to work and school
8:00AM E, M, and Mommy out the door
8:30AM Drop M off at my moms
8:50AM Wait in car rider line a E's school
8:55AM Drop E off at school
9:00AM Rush to hospital to clock in for work before I am "late" at 9;05
10:30AM Leave work to go back to E's school for Thanksgiving feast
11:45AM Leave E's feast run by McDonald's grab lunch to eat on the way to S school
12:00AM Help S teacher set up and prepare for her Thanksgiving celebration
1:00PM S Thanksgiving Performance
2:30PM Meet Zack's mom in the parking lot to drop off the kids.
2:35PM Back at the hospital to finish my work day
5:00PM On call for the Recovery Room and we aren't finished, I have to stay
700PM Still at work...
9:00PM Still at work...
11:00PM Still at work, finally get about a 15 min break--Krystals that my hubbie brought
1:00AM Still at work...
3:00AM Leaving work, on call until 7am and hope I don't get called back in...
3:15AM Stumble into bed, done at last, snuggle next to my hubbie feeling a little less than "balanced".

Tooth Fairy Blues

S is losing teeth left and right. She has lost 2 in the last 2 weeks. (I guess no one told her the tooth fairy is on a budget). I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but we have this issue with teeth. Teeth are totally gross to me. I make S wait until the tooth is almost falling out, before we pull it. I cannot stand to hear the crunch sound the tooth makes as you separate is from those last roots it is connected to. And all the bleeding... Yes, I am a nurse, but bleeding from where a tooth was pulled is different.

Last night we were finishing a meal at Chick fil a, when one of her teeth came out. She started bleeding right there at the table, all over the food. She was very excited, already adding up the money she would get to add to her booming tooth fairy account. I was treating myself to a birthday Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks. (after the site of the tooth, the mocha wasn't so good) Mind you at work, just like all good nurses I can assist in surgery, then was my hands and go to lunch, but this tooth stuff is different!! Z of course had no pockets to put the tooth in so I had the good fortune of carrying the tooth in my pocket until we got home.

This brings up another issue we have with teeth. We always seem to lose the tooth before we can get it under the pillow. This has been the case with 2 other teeth, including her very 1st. (I am sure I get a bad mom award for that) We have had to write many a note to the Tooth Fairy instructing him to get the tooth where ever it may be in the house, and to leave the money under her pillow as usual. Poor S she thinks this is a common occurrence in every household. Last night we even got the tooth to a zippy bag and still lost it before putting it under the pillow. We have never "found" a tooth after the Tooth Fairy has visited, but it has never made it to a bag either. So I guess I will spend this morning looking for a tooth in a zip lock bag... I would hate for it to be found after the Tooth Fairy has made a visit. I am so glad we have an understanding Tooth Fairy...maybe they lose teeth too? hmmmm... maybe we could go that route if the tooth is found in the house after the Tooth Fairy visit.

Another Race

S and Mom after the 5K about to start the mile run!

Mom near the end of the 5k, glad just to finish!!

S having a great race!!!

Last Saturday we did our second road race. It was very windy and the route was much harder. I was glad just to finish, and realized I need to do a lot more training!! S had a great one mile race she improved her time from 13 min to 10:48. She has been working hard. It really is fun to do the races and just to compete against yourself to better your time every time you run. I have been trying to teach S that is what is all about. She may never cross the finish line first,(bless her heart, she has my genetics), but it is about doing your personal best every time you run!!

The Picture Tells it All

We took M for a picture, actually my Step-Mom needed a picture to coordinate with the other pictures of the grand kids on her wall. The pictures so captured M's personality. This is a picture of a picture so sorry the quality is not good. Shelia was so sweet to buy some photos for us too. I can't believe my "baby" is a little girl.

On the Mend

We are finally fever free!!! Our crew has been sick all week. M started with a fever on Monday and E got one late Tuesday night. After hoping they would be better in a couple days, we finally took them to the Doctor on Thursday. They were both diagnosed with Strep Throat. (I found out from some friends that usually if your kids throw up with a fever and sore throat it is more likely to be strep. We fit the bill, and yes it was Strep. I don't know it there is any clinical evidence supporting that but, from a survey of moms (which is better than clinical evidence!) it seems to be true. Yesterday was the first day that no one had fevers!! We are taking our antibiotics and eating our oranges and hoping that all stay well!!

Tag your it...
1. Where is your cell phone? In my purse

2. Where is your significant other? At an election return gathering

3. Your hair color? brown when I color it, grey when I don't.

4. Your mother?One of my best friends in the world.

5. Your father? One of the kindest, most genuine people I know.

6. Your favorite thing?Outdoors enjoying nature

7. Your dream last night? None, I was up all night with a sick baby.

8. Your dream/goal? To raise happy, successful kids who have a passion for Jesus Christ

9. The room you're in? Den

10. Your hobby? Gardening!, Blogging, Bargin hunting

11. Your fear? Something happening to my kids or husband.

2. Where do you want to be in six years? As long as I am with my husband and kids, I don't care.

13. Where were you last night?At home taking care of a sick baby.

14. What you’re not? A girly girl.

15. One of your wish list items? A perfectly landscaped yard that I can just maintain.

16. Where you grew up? Douglasville, GA-- a whole 15 minutes for where I live now!!

17. The last thing you did? Got M out of the bed, she asleep on one leg and the laptop is balanced on the other.

18. What are you wearing? Sweat pants and tee-shirt

19. Your TV? "My husband's TV" is on, watching election results

20. Your pet(s)?Too many!! Max the dog and Cody and Mike cats

21.Your computer? Is sometimes a distraction for getting things done.

22. Your mood? Okay?

23. Missing someone? My hubby, hope he comes home soon.

24. Your car? 2003 Honda Oddessey that I hope to drive until the wheels fall off.

25. Something you’re not wearing? Socks

26. Favorite store? Macy's with coupons! and sales!

27. Your summer? Not complete without a trip to the beach.

28. Love someone? Yes! All my family and friends

29. Your favorite color? Brown and grey, Z says that is what my whole wardrobe consists of.

30. When is the last time you laughed? Sunday, watching my niece.

31. Last time you cried? Not lately!

Perfect Day!

Okay, I have held off as long as possible... I have to blog about the weather. Not only is the weather absolutely perfect, the views of the leaves are incredible. I simply cannot stay indoors. I have to be out in this beautiful weather, enjoying the leaves and breathing in the fresh fall air. I never get tired of the changing of the leaves in the fall. It is breath taking and magnificent every year. It is a confirmation of my faith. To think that God would take the time, not to just drop the leaves off the trees for the winter, but to make it a spectacular display of color and beauty in the process. I started to try and capture a picture of the gorgeous fall leaves in my yard, but I know it would not do it justice. Instead of a picture, I'll just post an invitation to step outside, enjoy the perfect fall weather and to look up into the trees and experience the splendor that God has created for us to enjoy!!!

Halloween Incident

I had thought about not posting this, but yall know me so I am sure you will not be surprised.

Halloween morning was hectic at our house. E and S had to get up early and get dressed in their costumes. Friday is the most hectic day of the week at our house because we are literally going in 5 different directions. As things would go, I also needed to be at work at 8 am instead of 9 because of a schedule change. After being up at 5 am and getting everyone ready for the day, Z headed off with S to drop off at school, and I took E and M to my parent's house. My dad had graciously agreed to take E to school at 9, so I could be at work at 8. I told my kids good-bye and headed off to work. I was feeling pretty good, Z and I had managed to get everyone dressed and ready and I was even going to be at work on time!

After I had been at work for an hour, I got an unexpected call from my mom. I apparently was mistaken about E wearing his Halloween costume to school--NO ONE else in the school had worn their Halloween costume. Even better, was that he was not allowed to wear the costume to school. My dad had to strip E down in the parking lot and send him in the classroom in his T-shirt and shorts. (I thought I was doing good to put his cool clothes on under his Power Ranger costume. Little did I know he would only be wearing his T shirt and shorts. ) E also had a "fall" party planned that morning for school, so not only did I goof and send my poor child to school in his forbidden Halloween costume, I also had to attend his party and fess up to my mistake. E was such a trooper, he took it all in stride, he simply took off his costume and went in his classroom, it didn't phase him in the least. When I got to his classroom, he gave me a big hug and said "mom I couldn't wear my costume, because nobody else remembered to wear theirs"

Sadly, I must admit this occurrence will probably be just one of many "memory lapses" with the kids. My absent-minded-ness is something the kids will have to grow accustomed to. (I already have a record in E's class, I forgot picture day and he went to school on picture day in a police tee-shirt. ) Now I have the Halloween incident. He will probably be in counseling one day remembering the Halloween incident!! S already asks me all the time, "Mom did you get your purse?" Is that a bad sign? I have already vowed to use this incident as a learning tool. If I can't manage 2 kids in school, how am I going to manage 3? I have to get more organized! I have to get more organized! I have to get more organized!! Okay, now if I can remember where I put my keys...

Halloween Fun!

Getting ready for the big night

M and B tired, sticky, and smeared!!!

The meltdown before we even started!

?Dinner on the ground?

"you have to let me get a picture or we aren't going"

After trying for a couple of years to do both, we have finally stopped the traditional "trick or treating" and we go to a fall festival at our church. The kids have lots of fun, eating, "trunk or treating" and playing on moonwalks. It is also lots of fun b/c they get to see lots of friends in Halloween costumes and not just thier neighbors!!! It was so much fun with Halloween being on a Friday night, we didn't have to rush home to get ready for school the next day!!