…of the strict water restrictions we have. But it was pretty funny we thought. Derek gave them the hose for the plastic pool one evening last week. But they decided to make the trampoline a slip-and-slide. Notice the picture with both sets of feet up in the air…good picture taking, Derek!
We celebrated Caleb’s 4th this weekend in Hot Wheels style. He had a great time and we enjoyed keeping it simple with family around. He is our sweet-natured, but funny little guy.
He still sucks his thumb and cuddles with a shredded blankie…and I still think it’s cute.
He refuses to wear NEW shirts, except to church. He likes his clothes comfy, soft and worn-in. He won’t wear pants/shorts with buttons or zippers or anything that will cramp his style. And if they have ties (strings) he won’t let us tie them…no way…they have to hang down. He has a style all his own. And he’s dressed before the sun comes up…there’s no hanging out in jammies for him (I think it’s so he won’t get my opinion on what he should wear).
He is easy to shop with…I can take him anywhere.
He is honest. Yesterday we took a slow, short walk around the block. He held my hand and walked at my pace, while his brother ran ahead. Our conversation turned to the baby and he said, "Mom, I really want the baby to be a sister. We have too many boys." I said, "will you be sad if it’s a boy?" I expected a diplomatic, "no". But instead I got a quiet, sincere and honest answer, "YES".
I still can’t help but kiss on those cheeks of his, much to his chagrin these days…that round face with full lips and a big smile…way too cute for his own good.
There are times when I feel challenged beyond belief with him. And other times where I feel like he is my island in a sea of chaos…easy and calm.
But either way, I’m so thrilled to be his mom and can’t believe it’s been 4 years already.
This morning I was able to convince Caleb that "mommy spit" is the best kind of band-aid. That it actually has healing powers and works better than regular band-aids. It took a while, but I actually had him convinced by the end. Either that or he was humoring me. I do enjoy this age.
My boys love to golf…all three of them. Derek took it up about 2 years ago and wishes he had more time to enjoy it. But he loves that both the boys have taken a liking to it as well. We have more practice balls than you can count…in all colors and styles. And our yard has become a putting green (or yellow, because we can’t water our grass that much!). Caleb is getting some clubs of his own this weekend for his b’day.
We have a Hank Haney course about 5 minutes or less from our house. And Derek can jump on almost anytime and play 9 holes or go to the driving range. He found out a few weeks ago that it was sold to a house builder and will close in October. I thought the poor man was going to cry. He even mentioned the possibility of trying to buy it out from the home builder (as if that would be possible). He was crushed. And is determined to spend as much time there as possible. In fact, he might be one of those "crazies" who lays down in the middle of the 8th fairway and declares "I will not leave!!" come October. Recently he took Jacob and golfed 9 holes, and came back bragging that Jacob was only 2-3 over par on a couple of holes.
Here’s the real point of my post…the boys have such different styles and it cracks us up. It is so indicative of their personalities. We call it:
FINESSE vs. FAST AND FURIOUS
Jacob is all about the swing…he has a smooth and accurate swing. Caleb is about hitting the ball as hard as possible, and as fast as possible. Throw the ball down, kill it! Throw the ball down…KILLLLL it! And watch out because it’s comin’ at you…hard. I’ve had to duck who knows how many times. I cannot watch him without laughing. And, as always, he wants to do everything shirtless. It makes it more brawny, I guess!
count your blessings moment this morning. I picked up my Zofran, the perscription medicine that helps with the nausea and vomiting. For me, sadly it is NOT a cure, but I believe that it keeps me out of the hospital. It keeps me and the baby from being dire. It helps curb the nausea and limit the vomiting. It is crucial for me. But it is expensive! When I was pregnant with Jacob, the insurance company would only allow me to have 9 pills a month. And I need 2 a day…you can do the math! Today I picked up my refill for 42 pills (insurance has since changed their policy). And I looked at the "you saved" number and gasped. I paid only $15 for these pills.
They cost $1,164.02. Your eyes did not deceive you…that is a comma.
So today I am so thankful that we have good health insurance. What a difference it would make if we didn’t.
8 Years!
Actually, yes I can. We’ve been thru 2 houses, several job changes, 2+ children, several church callings, numerous travel opportunities including 5 overseas trips between us, and lots of changing, growing and expanding (of our waistlines).
But I’m so glad I said "yes" to him even though I was scared out of my mind (he’s convinced it was the mountain air in Utah that made me finally commit). But in reality he’s been the best choice I ever made. The last few weeks have been eye-opening in turns of seeing how patient and steadfast he really is. He’s been doing all the cleaning, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, and bill paying, and has still been working full-time in a new job, keeping up with a busy church responsibility and finding time to play with the boys. Not to mention putting up with my tears, whines, and constant need for physical nourishment (i.e. late night runs to the fridge in search of something that won’t make me sick). I realize now that he’s one of a kind.
So it’s HOT. Really HOT. We know that better than anyone, here in this great sprawling state of TX. We can only water our grass once a week or we get a scarlet letter in our front yard and a $2000 fine. It’s dangerous for young children to be anywhere near my west-facing front door after 12 noon. I fear for my unborn child’s life every time I get in to a parked car this time of year. It’s that HOT. In fact, even as I type my computer is flashing big bold numbers of 105 degrees.
But no heat index reading could make me join this obscene number of people today on a beach in New Jersey…ever.
Is it just me or is that just WAYYYY too many people on one beach at the same time? Don’t they have fire codes or something to prevent those kinds of crowds? And why are they all standing?
Yikes!
Derek says all of the time "everyone needs a cause". Anytime we see someone doing something ridiculous and overzealous, he jokingly says that (as if it gives them a good excuse for their behavior). But if you think about it it’s kind of true. Everyone in the world needs that feeling of having something they feel strongly about…religion, politics, charity, etc. Whatever it is…we as a people feel better when we "have a cause". So after 8 weeks now of being so sick and having life just STOP completely I feel like I need a cause. Literally, everything in my life is halted. I have no responsibilities at church, I don’t cook or clean around my house, I take care of my kids but minimally (as sad as that sounds). My entire existence has been about staying hydrated, being fed, making sure I get clean once a day. It’s the bare necessities, in it’s truest form. So here’s my new cause:
It’ll probably seem silly to most of you. But I feel strongly that after thousands of years of women having babies, we should not have to be made to feel desperate. We should have more answers to these problems. We should receive more help. We shouldn’t be told by a doctor that "the weight loss is unacceptable". No one should ever be told that when they’re suffering with this…EVER. Particularly by the one person that is supposed to be able to help.
So that’s my new cause.
p.s. Jacob had a successful tonsilectomy and adnoidectomy last Friday. He really suffered the first 3 days but has felt tons better today and has even stopped the pain meds. The first 5 minutes of him being home from the hospital he threw up all over the living room. And I was the only one to witness it! But we all got cleaned up and we both laid in bed the rest of the day.
I LOVE this holiday. It’s my second favorite (behind the common favorite of Christmas). I love the colors, the heat, the food, the parades, the fireworks, the relaxing, the swimming. I just think it’s a great holiday. No parades for us yesterday, but the boys did swim with Derek and I watched. And we had a great party at Nana and Pops’ house. I was even well enough to get in the kitchen for the first time in 6 weeks and bake our annual flag cake.
Now we have Mimi, my stepmom Christy, here with us for the week to help out. Jacob has his tonsils removed on Friday. I’m starting to feel better, but am having trouble sleeping, which never helps with nausea. So it’s good to have the help this week.
To close, I’ll post some pics of the boys in their swimming lessons last week. This was our 4th year to take from our friend, Cassie, who just graduated from high school this year. She’s really done a great job teaching them. Jacob learned rythmic breathing and the backstroke this year and Caleb is sticking his face in and swimming strong now too.
This happens to be my favorite restaurant:
Yea, I know, could you pick something a little less expensive, Mer? NO! Because, frankly, every penny is well spent at this restaurant. It’s a pleasure for my palate. Not only do they have amazing steak…amazing. But they have THE most wonderful house salad ever…with apples and blue cheese and pecans and this dressing that I just can’t get enough of. And with every steak you get mashed potatoes and my favorite homemade cream corn ever (the corn is grilled first and stays crisp), plus fresh slices of tomatoes and homemade bread. It’s just delightful.
Well…skip to last night. I’m hungry. My body is vitamin deficient…and probably anemic, since I was with Caleb. I can hardly move around without getting dizzy and weak and needing to sit down again. I’ve lost 10 lbs. And I’m sick of it. I want to eat but am too nauseated to think about food. I can only eat if it’s placed in front of me and I take a deep breath and "just do it". And even then, NOTHING tastes like it used to. But I do have ONE craving. Yep, you guessed it…III Forks. I mentioned it to Derek the other night and so…
Last night he calls III Forks and explains why he needs takeout for his distraught bride. And they oblige, of course. He gets there right as the kitchen opens and brings home all of my favorites. And I have to admit, it was good. Not quite as good as I would have liked it to be (I could only eat about 1/4 of the steak, where normally I down the whole thing). But for just a few moments, I was enjoying food again.
He’s great, huh?!
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