T3 and T-3.5

We leave for England in less than four weeks.  I should be incredibly excited, but I'm just nervous about the travel.  Once we get there I'll have a great time and be happy about being there, but the anticipation is killer.  I just want things to go smoothly.  No delays, no problems at security.  Easy trip.  No problems with weather and driving.  Just so many possibilities for things to go wrong.  So I need to be positive.  Quell the fears and not worry so much.  Everything will be fine.  It will be what it will. I just want it to be a smooth experience for both kids.

As for T3, things seem fine.  Food is a bit of an effort, but that shouldn't last too long based on past experience.  I'm nervous about all of this, too.  Tired--no exhausted.  I'm sure it will all work out.  Little late, but there you go.  God has a plan. Even for an old, decrepit girl like me.  (this, according to Elspeth, who last week told me "Mom, when you're old and decrepit, I'll take care of you."  Took me ages to figure out that she had actually said the word decrepit.  Gotta love her.)

safety and locked doors

Little M is safe and secure, and both our girls are back with us today.  And I've locked all the doors.  Am I afraid?  Not really, but how to explain to my girl that she can't open the door to people she knows and recognizes?  A little hard.  I don't want her to fear for her safety, but I can't have her let anyone in without my consent--by law.

Crazy?  Yes.  Never imagined I'd be in a situation like this.  All I can say is that I love my incredible, gentle, honest husband.  I am so fortunate. 

how to lie to your children--and feel bad doing it

I've recently been put in the position of having to tell my children an untruth--to protect them from the ugliness of the world.  I don't like it.  I am usually very honest and open with my kids, but how do you explain violence to a four and two year-old?  How do I tell them my heart is heavy for my friend and their friends without tainting their world?  I don't know.  But my heart is heavy.  And I fear for my friend.  I hurt for her.  Someday, I will tell my children about people who bully others because it gives them a feeling of power.  I try to show my children the importance of respect for everyone.  I teach them to love as Christ commanded, to say sorry, to forgive, and to forget wrongs.  I try to teach them to stand up for themselves.  I hope it's enough. 

Be safe, my friend.  Be safe, little M and little A.  Be safe, big M.

sick of sick

It has been a horrid few weeks with illnesses at our house.  First husband had a cold--bad for him with only one lung.  Not any more dangerous, but takes longer for him to recover.  Then I got sick.  It was like my intestines had turned into a water canon of sorts.  Not exactly water, but with that force and volume.  Yuck.  Was sick on a Friday, better on a Saturday and Sunday morning, then it was back again on the Sunday afternoon and Monday.  UGH. 

I finally got better, then husband got the loosey goosies.  He had NEVER had that before in all of his 39 years.  Poor man.  It only lasted one day for him, but then last Thursday night Bubba puked and puked and puked.  I slept on the floor in their room, puke bucket at the ready.  Friday he seemed OK.  Saturday afternoon, he puked again a few times.  Sunday he was fine.  Yesterday after dinner he puked his pancakes.  Since then, he's been OK.  Who knows.  As long as he doesn't puke today or tomorrow, we're probably out of the woods.  MOPS in the morning--risk it?  We'll see.

In other news. . .  been digging out old clothes, surprised to find them fitting again.  I have lost 20 pounds, even though I had really hoped to lost 30 or 40 before now.  Oh well.  More to come on this in the next few months.