In transition

I let my prescription for migraines run out, bad move on my part.  Yesterday I was knocked on my butt and could not get ahead of the pain with my usual coping mechanisms.  I ended up at my doc’s office where I received a shot that he warned would make me a little woozy.

I knew I was a little out of it last night, but sometimes you just muddle through what you have to.

Tim called to check on me and I remembered I had set the phone down to answer the door when I heard angry beeping signalling the phone was off the hook.

This morning is like a scavenger hunt, only I don’t know what I’m looking for.  I opened the fridge to find most of the items I used to make last night’s popcorn.

I wonder what other surprises today holds.

So much of parenting style is dependent on a child’s personality.  My oldest is a nonstop ball of energy, emotional, headstrong, and full of curiosity.  The middle son sees the elder boy’s stubborn nature and raises the stakes with a streak of defiance.  The baby?  Well, she’s so young that it is hard to tell, but I believe I see a patient nature with a desire to please.  With her, it would be so easy to believe I knew it all, that all babies should listen to a firm, “No. Don’t touch,” and that they quickly learn to self-entertain.

It may sound as though I am critical of the boys.  While they can drive me to distraction I have a gut feeling I am in my rough years with them and these personality traits may set their paths straight once the foundation is laid.  The stubborn nature I find frustrating now may serve them well when others want them to stray.  Their curiosity and boundless energy are easy to view as assets once they have a respect for property and a handle on containing it at appropriate times.  I won’t lie, it is exhausting.

Just a family and friends update to avoid worried emails and phone calls.

It’s been a long week with connection issues, teething, a growth spurt, and a new project on the side.

It’s taking a little time to adjust to the new routine, but we’ll manage as we always do.  Everyone is fine.

As far as the littlest monkey, she’s cutting her fourth tooth, cruising, clapping, and adding baby talk to her routine.  Tim needs to get out in the sun a little so she looks like a member of our family.  I slather her with sunscreen and she is still tanning.

I belong to a group of mothers who focus on natural parenting.  I fully admit to being a complete slacker and barely keeping up with the email, let alone making it out to the actual get togethers; for now I watch from the sidelines.

A week ago one of the members mentioned a young couple from Maine with a very sick baby.  The couple arrived by bus and were living in a motel while the baby waited for his first surgery at MUSC.  They planned on being in the area for only a few months.  Over the last few days, I have watched this group of women spring into action. They have located affordable housing and procured many household goods, additional clothing, and food for this family in their time of trouble.  It’s beautiful to behold and I’m proud to know the ladies who worked so hard to ease the burden of this family who are now planning on becoming permanent residents of the Lowcountry.

Rhoda, thank you for all of your efforts in bringing this group together.

Aidan had his first recital Friday evening. In the manner typical of our family, while the evening ended up fine, the process was a royal pain in the rear.

After being reminded to remove Aidan’s violin from the car, Tim forgot and took it with him when he left for work. What followed was a 90 minute high stress adventure from Moncks Corner to Goose Creek, to Huger, to West Ashley.

We were late, but his teacher was kind enough to shuffle the program.
Remember, he’s four; the other children are six and seven or eight.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNiB318pTlQ]

I tightly cropped this picture to share the detail.  Apparently we have baby mantises in our backyard.  I love macrophotography because it forces me to tightly focus on the beauty by which I am surrounded.

I am often surprised by the possibilities in my own home.  Lately I have noticed this is true of my life, as well.  When I force myself to take stock of what I have available I am more likely to be satisfied.

to my mom, Tim’s mom, and all the moms and women who have cared.

Apparently Berkeley County Water and Sewer decided what the our household needed was a new water feature.

We did not approve of the idea.

Thankfully BCWAS will be repairing the damage.   This little mess caused over two hundred homes to be without water today.

Good times folks, good times.

Oh and if you are a neighbor of mine, we’re under a boil water advisory for the next 24 hours

Setting: The Moncks Corner Bi-Lo 4:30pm

Characters: Three preschoolers ranging from infant to four years, one cashier, one bagger, one mother attempting to keep said preschoolers from touching nearby racks of candy.

(There is a lone bottle of soy sauce and a reusable grocery bag to ring up)

Cashier: Is that all?

Heather: That’s it.  (stage whispers) For the last time, no M&M’s we’re going home to make dinner.

Cashier: (Places reusable bag and soy sauce in a plastic bag)

Heather: (swiping debit) You really don’t have to bag those items, thank you.

Cashier: (blank stare)

Heather: (Somewhat embarrassed) It’s kind of the point of those bags; you know, to stop using the plastic ones.

Cashier: (blank, somewhat ruder stare, but removes the items from the plastic bag and places the soy sauce INSIDE the reusable bag)

Heather: Thank you, have a good evening. (Walks out of the store attempting to lug three kids and navigate a busy parking lot)

Ingredients

• 2 adults
• 5 kids
• 6 buckets
• 45lbs of strawberries
• 40lbs of sugar
• 10 boxes of pectin
• 2 1/2 cups lemon juice

Yields

• 3 cups strawberry salsa
• 1 strawberry shortcake
• 4 qts frozen strawberries (margaritas? Yes, please!)
• 5 1/2 GALLONS of jam
• 1 utterly destroyed kitchen
• 1 exhausted Heather

Who wants toast?