I Can't Make This Stuff Up

We're in a place in life where you have to be ready for anything.

Like right now, I just realized that there is dried dog blood on my computer screen....

July has been crazy. Karson and Jason were both sick and then I was sick for several days. I felt better on Sunday and I climbed into bed knowing this was going to be an awesome week.

Then, the chiweenie climbed into bed and proceeded to throw up all over the sheets. This was awful but made worse because we'd just cleaned up Princess poop from the bedroom floor (she's old and can't control her bowels and poops all over the house day and night). Quick change later and we settled again with the knowledge that this was going to be a great week.

On Monday night, the chiweenie (Fritz) and the hound/heeler mix (George) were play fighting. They do this often. Fritz is roughly 7 pounds and George is probably 55-60 pounds. Fritz can hold his own pretty well when they fight so I wasn't really paying attention.

When we settled down, Jackson noted that something was wrong with Fritz' face. Either George's nail or tooth had torn Fritz' cheek leaving the skin hanging. I emailed a vet friend and she said to take him today as he would probably need antibiotics.

Putting It All Out There

I literally put it all out there yesterday. In person and online. Note: If you have a weak stomach then you might skip to the middle of the page...

As we were leaving the movie theater with Jackson's friends, Karson had been whining that his belly hurt. He's been sick all week and he was really tired so I was waiting on Altman to give me the keys so I could take him on to the car and give him a chance to nap.

I had him wrapped up in my sweater and was cuddling him while we waited. He gave the pump fake gag and then said he needed to throw up. I held him over the trash can and he spit. Before I could ask if there was more, he turned back to me and threw up all over both of us.

There were no amount of towels in the theater to help with any cleanup so we walked to the two blocks to the car. Once there, I used baby wipes to clean him off and changed his clothes. Luckily, we take a second set of clothes everywhere for him. Unfortunately, I don't do the same.

I ended up wrapped in a beach blanket over my jeans while Jason ran to Nothing Too Fancy to buy me a new shirt. Luckily, I had worn a sports bra under my tank so I wasn't totally inappropriate. Truthfully, I wouldn't have cared because the smell was so vile.

Thanks to My Boys on this Mother's Day Weekend

To my sweet Jackson and Karson,

As Mother’s Day approaches, I want to thank you. Mother's Day is as much about you as it is about me if not more.

The funny reality of this holiday is that your father buys the flowers and gifts and you little humans create a card or keepsake that you may or may not let me have. Karson, you are currently keeping my bracelet and watermelon plant. I hope you'll give them to me soon but if not, the bracelet looks great on you.

Mother’s Day builds a hype that as a mom, I should be pampered and able to rest and be showered with gifts and love on “my” day. The world is silly that way. Your father does an amazing job of making me feel special through the smallest of details every day. And, the two of you are learning from him so I feel good about the future and how you’ll treat me and your future spouses.

I have to admit that in our early days, I thought Mother’s Day would be different. My “Norman Rockwell” didn't match our reality. You didn’t let me sleep in, you didn’t cry less, you didn't whine less, you didn’t give me a break from getting your lunch and dinner and Mother’s Day was the same as any other day of the week. But, I have changed the picture in my mind and that has made a huge difference. This Sunday won't be much different from any another day but hopefully I get some extra snuggles from you...or at least less fighting.

Thinking of Sunday leads me to thanking you both.

To Jackson, you made me a mother. Who knew! The gal that never wanted kids changed her mind and was blessed with the most amazing little person.

And to Karson, you are my baby and my last child. Each moment of each day is a reminder - happy and sad - that there are moments I will never experience again as a mother.

To both of you….You have challenged me in ways that I could not imagine. You have taken me on the highest of highs and left me sobbing where I stood and in total sadness. Every day is an adventure and some days I wonder if I will survive it while others are so carefree that I wonder why I thought this was hard.

I want to thank you for reminding me everyday that I need to keep my chin up and to forge ahead. This isn’t a job that I can quit so we just keep going and pray for the best. I’ve always been one to take on any challenge but you’ve helped me see that I can always change my tactics and my perspective and I appreciate that so much.

I had a good life before you but it seems so much happier and fuller since you both arrived. I can't imagine what we'd do every day, night, and weekend without you.