Things I learned today!

So, another day in the life around here.  Today I woke up and decided that the kids and I were going to church.  I've been meaning to get around to it for awhile, and had planned on the "aroundtoit" to come next weekend.  But today seemed right.  So off we went, Alex insisting we were going to Target and Skyler wondering why we were suddenly going to church.

Here are some of the lessons learned:

1) There are people in the world who are very, very kind to strangers.  Seriously.  I think sometimes in the hustle and bustle we forget that some people are just good.  I met many today.

2)  You know you haven't taken your kid to church in awhile when he looks at the altar and says "Mommy, why is there a big "t" hanging on the wall?".  Oops.

3)  A 2 year old  who has never been to church does NOT just know to be quiet and sit still.  

4)  People think it is adorable when a 5 year forgets his inhibition and starts singing, loudly, to a song he doesn't actually know.  The 5 year old, however, thinks it is horribly humiliating.

5)  Church wears kids out.  They fall asleep on the way home.  BONUS!  (Y'all want to get religious now, don't you?!?)

6)  When those kids wake up, they have WAY too much energy.  Grr...

7)  2 year olds, hammers and 2 year old vehicles do NOT mix.  

8)  Yes, I learned #7 from experience.  

9)  If you stop a dishwasher, start it over, stop it, start it over...and let it fill up and never drain every time...it'll overflow on to the floor.

10)  If #9 is repeated 30 seconds after the mess is cleaned up, it'll overflow again.

11)  The 2 year old taught me this.

12)  Kids will do anything for ice cream.  It is possible for a 5 year old's room to be cleaned in 2 minutes.  Just offer ice cream.

13)  If you try lesson #12, don't look in the closet unless you've had a glass of wine, Xanax, or 3 extra strength Tylenol.

14)  If a child is in need of getting clean, the floor of the bathroom will be soaked.  It does not matter wether they shower or take a bath.  It doesn't matter if they take 3 minutes or a half hour.  The position of the shower curtain has no bearing.  The bathroom will inevitably be soaked.  There is no way to avoid it.

15)  Desperate Housewives Rocks.  What a good way to make my life seem not so hectic after a long (but good, minus the car meeting a hammer and floor being flooded) day!

I am very, very lucky.

Tonight I sit here, kids tucked in with Dusty by my side, thinking that I am a very lucky woman.

I would like to take this chance to remind you all of something you probably already know- LISTEN to your body.  If something feels off, look in to it.  Please.

On Saturday I was diagnosed with Steven Johnson's Syndrome, a potentially fatal reaction to medication that I was taking.  This syndrome is not caused by any particular medication.  It is very rare, and is essentially a very severe allergic reaction.  I thought I was going in simply because Dusty insisted on it. I was certain I had a cold and maybe a viral rah. As it turns out, SJS is really serious.  And very scary.  I am lucky that is was caught essentially as soon as the rash began.  Really, as soon as it began to form I was being treated.  

I am getting better.  The rash has cleared up now and the headache has basically gone away.  At this point, I think the biggest thing we're waiting for is for me to come off the medication.  I need the medication- but it makes me feel crappy!

Anyhow, just wanted to tell you all that I am ok.  And I am lucky.  And I really, really appreciate all the love and support that has been sent my way!

Thank you,

Brianna

Trying this domestic thing out.

This year I decided to give the whole "domestic decorator" thing a try.  I figured that the kids are old enough to like decorations, so we should probably put some up.  Here goes!

We have an amazing neighbor couple.  I spoke with the wife and told her that we were trying to decorate this year.  She is great!  She has brought over a bunch of corn stalks, grown in her garden.  She also dug out some decor that she isn't using and brought us a broom for the door, some little figures and a pumpkin that she grew in her yard.  We are so lucky to have someone so wonderful around us.  When she dropped of some of the decorations, I mentioned that Alex was sick.  Later that day they brought over a book for him and a note wishing him well.  Sure makes the world seem smaller and more cozy when you have good people around you!

Skyler and I drew a pumpkin family to add to our fall decorations.  Can you guess who is who?  I drew them, but Skyler cut and taped them under Dusty's supervision.  I pulled in the driveway after work to find them up, and thought they were the perfect touch.  Hopefully next week we'll go to the pumpkin patch and add a few real pumpkins to the mix.

Alex is getting better.  Still a sniffle and a low fever, but nothing near the scary night of being up with 104 degrees.  I think those nights are just made to break me in before the kids start getting sports injuries!

Skyler the football player!

So after years of standing on the sidelines of football games, cringing at every tackle, it was time for me to let Skyler subject himself to getting bowled over by 15 boys trying to get the same ball.  It isn't my thing, but hey- he loves it!

Skyler has been practicing for a week and a half.  His first game is coming up this weekend!  He is so excited!  His team will be green (Skyler says "YEEEEESSSSS!  We're the DUCKS!) and has a great coaching staff.

Here are a few pictures from from Skyler's practices.  Most are of Alex because I usually spend practices chasing him and keeping him from running on the field.  Alex LOVES "buball pa-tice"!  Ah, the joys of boys.  

If anyone will be in town on Saturday, please let me know!  Skyler would love to have a fan club for his first game!