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  • November 30, 1999

Archives For November 30, 1999

Seemingly perfect day, you are no match for my daughter

March 24, 2012

I had the day off Friday because my two boys didn’t have school. It promised to be a sunny, lazy, seemingly perfect day and I’m not going to lie…I debated about taking their little sister, my 3-year old, to day care.

Any mom of more than one child knows this feeling. As kids get older and more independent, you realize how much less stressful it is to hang out with them. My 10- and 8-year old boys don’t need me to pack them cereal and juice. They can actually go poop on command before we leave the house. They can buckle their own seat belts.

My conscience got the best of me and I decided to keep Jaycee home too. We all headed out to one of our favorite hangouts, Fontenelle Forest.

This area of Fontenelle Forest is known as the "Boardwalk." Fontenelle Nature Association owns and manages 2,000 acres of conservation land and 26 miles of marked trails within Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in Bellevue and Neale Woods in Omaha. Photo courtesy of fontenelleforest.org.

Our tradition at Fontenelle Forest is to hike a stretch of trails that span a few miles, eating a picnic lunch at the halfway point on the banks of the Missouri River before returning back to the place from which we started. We began our hike with the sun shining on our faces, the birds chirping, and the children laughing. My daughter, Jaycee, was running out in front of us with the wind lifting her little curls. That lasted for about 5 minutes.

Then, laughter turned to screaming. And Jaycee came running to me holding her mouth.

I’m going to pause right now to give you the choice to stop reading. If you are eating, take my advice and come back to this post another time. If you are squeamish (I swear there are not buckets of blood shooting out of her mouth or anything), maybe just call it a day and close your browser. For the rest of you, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I bend down and take my little girl’s face into my hands and tell her to show me where it hurts. She opens her mouth and all I see is a flap of her gum that is normally attached above her upper tooth looking back at me and taunting, “Now what, mom? Didn’t expect to see ME here, did ya?”

Puke. Puke. Puke. Puke. Puke. Puke.

I do my best not to dry heave in front of her. I take my finger and try to wiggle her front two teeth. Not a budge. She somehow fell sideways into something (what it was, I still don’t know) and that something sliced her gum but did no other visible damage.

The bleeding stops. The hysteria ceases. Her brother pleads with me to not cut the trip short. He reminds me how badly he wants to eat his picnic lunch. I remind him that if he had incurred the same injury, he likely would have needed to be swooped up by life flight and transported to the nearest hospital (he’s a tad bit dramatic when hurt).

I made the following split second decisions: Carry on with the hike and picnic as planned. Take Jaycee to the dentist immediately following our return to van. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT call dad.

We got through the first two steps and then I received the dreaded call en route to the dentist’s office. Ryan casually asks me how the day is going. I casually explain to him how I am the ringmaster of this circus we call life and that his daughter gave me a day to remember by face planting on the Boardwalk at Fontenelle Forest.

I will explain the rest of the conversation in pictures.

Ryan: What do you mean she cut her gums? Is she alright? Are her teeth ok? Will there be any long-term damage. IS SHE OK?!

Me: Well, she's pretty shaken up. We're in the waiting room and I'm doing my best to keep her calm.

Ryan: Are you serious? Let me talk to her. Should I come home?

No, I'm totally teasing you. She LOVES the dentist. This is by far her favorite part of our make-shift field trip today.

Ryan: What did the dentist say? Are her teeth going to be ok?

Me: The dentist confirmed everything you already know. Her teeth are fine. She's super cute.

Ryan: What are they going to do with her gums? Will it hurt her?

Me: Hold a sec. They are prepping her for major surgery.

Ryan: Are you SERIOUS? Let me talk to her.

Me: Good news. Surgery went well. Oh, and by "surgery," I meant she got to put on sassy sunglasses and hang out with her new best friend, the dentist who was open on Friday afternoon.

Ryan: How did this even happen? What were you doing when she fell?

Me: Have you MET your daughter? It's like there's a magnetic force field between her head and the earth. They are bound and determined to meet at least once a month. I was walking alongside your two other kids before it happened...thinking to myself, 'Why did I even consider leaving Jaycee at day care today?'

Ryan: OK, let me know how the x-ray turns out. Tell her I love her.

She loves you too. She will be excited to see you. Wait until you see the picture I took and was purposely not sending you before we got everything fixed. You would have FREAKED OUT.

Moral of the story: The day would have been perfect had I kept Jaycee in day care. But she makes life far more interesting so I am glad she played hooky.

In Crazy, Family, Kids, Love, Memories , , , , , , ,
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Before I was who I am now

March 19, 2012

Before I was a mom of three, I never knew what it was like to raise a little girl. I never had to guess what mood any member of my family was in because, before I was a mom of three, we all pretty much knew how to read one another. I never realized how fun it was to paint little toe nails. It’s an experience far more enjoyable than painting my own.

Before I was a mom of two, I never thought it was possible to give my love and devotion to anyone other than my precious first-born son. Before I laid eyes on my second son, I never knew what it was like to have a cuddly boy whose sole existence, it seems, is to make sure his mom is happy. I never realized my heart could swell to the point of bursting until he showed me what it means to give without expecting anything in return.

Before I was a mom of one, I didn’t know it was possible to actually be in awe of a child. I knew parents could be proud, but to feel a sense of awe is different. Before my oldest even took in his first breath, I never knew that God could intentionally give us our children in the exact order we need them. To bless us with a confident kid who helps us along the way and serves as a role model during times when we fall short.

Before having three children, I had two dogs. One passed and left me wondering why on earth we allow ourselves to own pets only to see them die before us. The other reminds me daily why we make that choice and never regret doing so.

Before I was a mom, I was a wife. I loved my husband and took the time to show him. I soaked in his strength and felt protected. I told him I would stand by him even if we led each other astray. I put my faith in him and not once has he let me down. I’ve seen him positively guide and discipline not only our own kids, but other youth as well. I know he loves me and would do anything to make me happy.

Before my husband stole my heart, I was a student and an athlete. The minute I knew what it felt like to be recognized for being good, I never felt pressured to be bad. I was complimented for being a leader and I never took that responsibility for granted. If I can leave this earth knowing I’ve impacted someone’s life for the better, I will feel fulfilled at the end of my days.

Before I was a student and an athlete, I was a girl who was loved and supported by her family. I did not need to be surrounded by material things to know my life was rich. What I didn’t recognize then was that the collective sacrifices of so many would help shape the person I am today.

Who were you before the person you are now?

In Awareness, Background, Beginning, Belonging, Family, Inspiration, Kids, Love, Memories, Pets, Support , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Pardon me while I dump my brain on you

March 9, 2012

This is the first, but certainly will not be the last, entry that I would categorize as a brain dump. So many things I want to blog about, so little energy to pull together one comprehensive piece of quality writing.

Bear with me.

Apples should silently fall from the tree.

My three children and I have this longstanding tradition of reading a book together before bedtime in my husband and I’s king size bed. After a duration of time, we all get pretty settled in and sleepy. My two boys (10 and 8) then alternate who is forced to…errr lucky enough to…take their 3-year old sister to her bed and tuck her in.

The oldest boy also has responsibility for feeding his pet fish who happily swim in a tank located on a dresser at the foot of his bed. As I’m snuggling into my covers and adjusting my pillows just right, I hear an argument ensue between the two brothers.

Owen: GET OFF my bed!
Austin: Mom says you’re supposed to feed the fish!
Owen: Be quiet! Go to bed.
Austin: MOM! Owen’s not feeding the fish!
Me: Owen, FEED YOUR FISH! Don’t ignore them.
Owen:  <<ridiculously loud sigh>> Why? Why can’t I just do it tomorrow?
Me: Just do it now.
Owen: That’s no fair. I’m tired. YOU never get out of bed when YOU’RE tired! No matter what!

I should have seriously let him have it. But, let’s be honest. It was like 9 o’clock so I just mumbled “touche” under my breath and called it a night.

Blue collar miracle man

My husband still drives around the Nissan Exterra we purchased before we had children. More than a decade old, this SUV is seriously on its last leg. Yet it refuses to die.

Its only saving grace is that we are total tightwads who are not ashamed to be seen driving our respective eye sores all around town (I’ll see your Nissan Exterra and raise you a Dodge Grand Caravan).

Earlier this week, Ryan calls me from the road as he’s en route with our oldest to baseball practice. I can barely hear him over a sound I can only describe as a tornado in a tunnel. Turns out that is what an SUV going 50 MPH sounds like when it blows a spark plug.

He manages to get the rubble on wheels back to our garage and proceeds to tell me he needs to run out and get a part. To which I laugh and give him a look that says, “No matter how long we’ve been together, you can still make me laugh.”

And then I realize he’s serious.

Turns out he was able to follow a neighbor’s advice and fix the spark plug all by himself. Even more unbelievable than that…the damn thing is STILL running 48 hours later.

Blue collar guys are amazing. My Ryan’s collar is more of a robin egg hue, but he’s pretty spectacular nonetheless.

Finally a sign that speaks the truth

I had to snap a picture of this restroom sign because it reminded me of a recent piece I wrote for momaha.com. I find the bluntness refreshing.

As the weather improves, so does my mood

Outside time with the kids is something I absolutely love. No scheduled activities for once. Just time to suck in the spring air, screw around, and smile.

Jaycee had pajama day at preschool today and apparently decided to complete the look with bed head.

Jaycee and Austin playing under a weeping willow tree. Yes, I realize my son's bike helmet is probably too small. But the way I see it, it's still protecting at least 35 percent of his skull.

I swear it just seems like a few years ago when this man-child was able to ride this tricycle.

I love that he shares my sense of humor. This image of him on the tricycle is equivalent to me attempting to squeeze into a size 4 outfit.

And last but certainly not least

My blog was shared today by a brilliant blogger who is nothing short of amazing. Made me very proud. Thank you to elisariva. If you want to follow an inspirational woman who will challenge you to stretch your own human potential, I encourage you to check her out.

 

In Brain dump, Family, Inspiration, Kids, Love, Memories, Support , , , , , , ,
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