Hump day ramblings

I am happy to report that Z is officially "well" again, though we're still on the antibiotic for another three days. He's back to himself, despite random bouts of exhaustion from staying up too late. He was very sweet to confess to me yesterday that he "cheated" and watched part of a second episode of Transformers, though I had told him he could only watch one that night. I was impressed by his character, but had to still warn him that if he can't control himself with his DVD player, I will revoke the privilege in the future. He took it like a man, and said he wouldn't do it again. I'm so wowed by him, pretty much on a daily basis, and yesterday was no exception.

During dinner last night, Z brought up (again) how certain Mommies have come to eat lunch with their kids at school recently. I offered to do the same, and he nearly leapt out of his chair, asking if it could be "tomorrow", meaning today. I said yes, and he was elated. When dinner was over & Aaron was cleaning up (I cook, he cleans ... we have a system), Z crawled into my lap with his legs straddled over me, facing me, and confirmed our lunch date once more. I told him I would be there with bells on, and he very quietly and genuinely said, "Thanks, Mommy.", then gave me a smooch. Sigh. Who knew your love for another person could keep growing & growing over the years? When he was little, I swore my heart couldn't swell any more with love for our little person, but it has swelled ten-fold over the past 6 1/2 years.

So, needless to say, I am looking forward to my lunch date immensely. I just have to get through a few hours of my workday first, but that has already proven to be mildly annoying. Between things that didn't get done (although I asked nicely) and my knee still driving me batty, time will pass slowly between now & 11:00am. But, time always crawls when you're excited about something, right? I remember the nineteen days between my birthday & Christmas being the slowest, most agonizing days of my youth.

Not much else to report today, besides our growing excitement for Aaron to start his new job, and for our impending spring break trip. We're counting down the days until we can take off for a week, completely unplugged from the world, and just enjoy nature & each other.

I think I will need to invest in another memory card for my camera. Aaron laughs when I say this, because the one I have now holds more than 700 photos, but we're going to be out in nature. For a week. Nature is my second favorite thing to photograph, behind food. I won't even try to kid myself and think I'll be able to limit my snapshots. I want to be able to snap freely, without care or concern. I CAN'T WAIT!

Three things I'm grateful for today:

1. Lunch with my kid.
2. Our camper.
3. My pedicure yesterday.

Peace & pastries, to all.

Wishing

Have you ever just wanted to take your child, hold them tight, and slow down time? Protect them forever from the evils of the world - the negativity, the worries, the demands? Teach them to believe there is good in every person, beauty in even the most mundane of things, and then have the world follow through & hold true to your word? Not shield them from every disappointment, but keep them pure and loving for as long as they're lucky to be alive. To prolong that innocence and blind faith in people & in God, and to never question ever having put their trust in someone ...

I had a day with Z today that made me wish I could do all these things. As a Mother, I guess you will always want such things for your child, but on days like today, I wished I could make it true so strongly that it made my chest ache. He was so bright-eyed and full of boundless, innocent energy, it was contagious. We went, as a family, and explored an art museum, and then just ran around in wide, open grassy spaces afterward. It was a magical day - for me, anyway. I wish every day could be full of wonder and new things that open his mind. I wish we weren't so constrained by the boring intricacies of everyday life. If there was any gift I could give to him over & over, it would be days like today that would keep him learning, guessing, and laughing.

I love being a Mom. And I love that I am lucky enough to have Z as my son. I hope I can show him that, I mean really show him that, so he never doubts or wonders how grateful I am to be a part of his life. I pray for this, daily.

Three things I'm grateful for today:

1. My son.

2. Simple pleasures.

3. Memories.

Peace & pastries, everyone.

The jinx continues ...

Z has strep.  Sigh.

Got a call from the doctor's office yesterday around 1:00pm with the news.  Apparently, we were one of the "rare" cases that the second test came back positive after the first one came back negative.  Figures.  

He started his Omnicef yesterday afternoon, and has already shown vast improvement by this morning.  We've kept him secluded from the outside world, as not to spread the love, and he's starting to get a little stir-crazy.  We may have to go walk around somewhere today, to burn off some his pent-up energy.  Part of me is glad it's strep, because then at least we know what we're dealing with & how to treat it.  The other part of me is fearful, because I don't want to get stricken with it, nor does Aaron.  I'll keep hoping for the best (as well as washing my hands, avoiding kisses, and drinking orange juice.)

Last night, we stayed in and broke out the Legos.  Z got some Star Wars Legos a while back, but we had never put together the ship that is capable of being made.  He asked me to make it last night, and after two hours or so, I'm happy to report I did it!  

It wouldn't have taken so long if he hadn't opened the Star Wars Lego box, and dumped them into his existing Lego bin.  Yes, he mixed them up months ago with about 700 other little Lego pieces, so this was quite the project.  Kept us busy though, and kept our minds off of being bored.  Another rockin' Friday night at the Lawson house!

I'm off now to shower, because my sick kid who doesn't feel sick is waiting patiently to get out of the house.  The three things I'm grateful for today:

1.  Omnicef.

2.  Kolaches.

3.  Air conditioning.  (Yes, it's warm & muggy today.  Argh!)

Peace & pastries, everyone.

Jinxed us

I guess all that talk yesterday of being healthy backfired.  I had to go pick up Z from school today, because he threw up during lunch.  His first at-school barf.  Poor kid!  Luckily though, he made it to the bathroom before spewing everywhere.  I was driving to his school, praying he hadn't let loose all over his desk or his classmates.  I was glad to hear he was able to hold it in until he got to the sink, but was a little grossed out at his detailed commentary about how long he held it in his mouth.  [shiver]

I took him to the doctor, and Aaron met us there, but we still don't really know what's wrong with him.  The first speculation was strep throat, but his first strep test came back negative.  Granted, I'm glad he doesn't have it, but I almost wish he did so we would at least know what was wrong & we could treat it.  Now, we just have to make do with the generic "viral" theory, and hope to God he keeps down everything he tries to eat or drink.  Since Aaron has to work this weekend, looks like Mommy is in for a fun couple of days.  He hasn't had a fever or thrown up since I picked him up from school, so I'm hoping we stay on this path.  The second strep test comes back tomorrow, but the nurse said it's highly unlikely for the results to be positive if the first test was negative.  We'll see.

Since Daddy was home early, he & Z watched one of their favorite DVD's and I went to the gym.  I wasn't able to go this morning, because I apparently did a mammoth load of laundry last night.  When I went to get my workout clothes from the dryer, they were still damp.  Not a pleasant thing at 5:20am.  I turned the dryer back on (my work clothes were in there, too) and just cussed my way back through the house.  All I could think about was how I could've slept in, instead of dragging my ass out of bed, trying to get into the mental mind-set of a workout, etc.  But, I took full advantage of having some free time this afternoon, and banged it out.  I can't tell you how much better I feel, just for going.  I was bothered by the fact I hadn't worked out, all day, and I was able to get rid of that.  Nice.

Since Z wasn't allowed to do much of anything - doctor's orders - Aaron tried to entertain him & cheer him up with a treasure hunt.  He bought this kit ages ago, but had put it away because Z was being a turd the day he bought it.  Well, he forgot about it & rediscovered it today, and I think it did the trick.  They had a blast.

Aaron made him a treasure map that went through our front yard.

This was the treasure he dug up, by the corner of our house.

After he broke it open.

Protective glasses that came with the kit, for when you were breaking open your treasure.

Aaron calls them his "Bono glasses."

You can tell here that he doesn't feel good.

Part of his many treasures.

His favorite part of the treasure -- the skulls, of course.

This boosted his spirits, for sure.  Got his mind off of feeling crappy, he was out in fresh air, and hanging with Daddy.  That seems to be his favorite thing to do these days, he's all about Daddy time.  He even asked Aaron the other day when they could go camping together again, though he was sensitive enough to whisper the part "but only you & me, Daddy".  It makes my heart so happy.

It's bedtime, once again, though I'm jealous that Aaron & Z get to sleep in tomorrow.  The three things I'm thankful for today:

1.  My husband.

2.  My husband.

3.  My husband.

If you hadn't guessed, Aaron wrote my list for me tonight.  He's standing right next to me ...

Peace & pastries to all.

Big news!

Another week has passed quickly, and it's been a busy one.  We have some big news to share, but I'll get to that in a minute.

To catch everyone up on the past week or so, everyone has stayed healthy (thankfully), and been busy with day-to-day activities.  The weather has warmed up some, so we've spent a lot of time outdoors.  It seems like spring, even though it's only February, but that makes sense if you're in Texas.  Z just passed a milestone - as of January 29, he completed 100 days of kindergarten.  The teachers celebrated with the kids all week, incorporating lessons into the festivities, and one of the projects was each kid had to bring 100 of something to class.  Z chose colored paper clips, and made a chain out of them, and was very excited to take it to school. 

What's a party without a hat and some silly glasses, right?  He wore this everywhere we went on Friday.  Even to the public library, when we stopped by to turn in our books and grab some new ones.  What a ham.

We went to one of Z's friends' birthday parties last weekend, which was actually a lot of fun.  It was a bowling party, which the kids loved, of course, but the parents could bowl, too.  Aaron, me, and one other Mom were the only ones to take advantage of the lanes reserved for parents, and it was great.  Z's made some really good friends this year, I'm so proud of him.

Don't be fooled - he didn't really eat the pizza he's holding.

He just wanted to make it seem like he was.

Z & the birthday boy.

I've been keeping busy since I took up the project of cleaning out our closets and selling off everything I think might be worth something.  One example, my Barbie collection.  No, I never played with Barbies as a kid, but yes, I began collecting them when I first got married.  It's an expensive hobby, so it was one of the first things to get axed once we had a kid.  Therefore, I have oodles of dolls taking up space & collecting dust, and it's time to let 'em go.  I forgot how many I had accumulated, so this has taken up way more time than I first thought it would.

But, on to the BIG NEWS.  Ready?  Aaron is leaving Borders and taking on a new position at Family Christian Stores!  I know!  What the hell, right?!  Well, we've endured months and months of declining news about Borders, and it seems to be a sinking ship at this point.  The original plan was to hang on until the end, but Aaron realized the end might be here sooner than later.  He and I started scouring newspapers and Monster.com, where we stumbled upon a GM position at FCS, very close to our house.  He applied, got a call less than 24 hours later, got an interview 4 days after that, had a second interview 4 days after the first, and was offered the job mere minutes after the second interview.  Woah!  What a blessing!  Turns out Aaron knew the woman who called him for the job; she too, had worked for Borders and jumped ship a while back.  She called around inside the company to see what people thought of Aaron, and of course, he got glowing reviews from every direction.  I'm so proud of him!  He's worked so hard for Borders, and doesn't want to leave, but he really wants Z to stay in the school he's in now, since he's flourishing there.  It would break his (and my) heart to have to pull Z out because we can't afford it anymore, so he decided to be pro-active and move on to a new position.  How exciting!  We are so lucky to find him a job so quickly in this economic climate, and for that we are so thankful.  His last day at Borders is Valentine's Day, and he starts right away at FCS on Monday, February 16.  It's bittersweet to him, but he really does seem excited about starting fresh.  And think of all the money we'll save on gas, since he doesn't have to drive 30 minutes to work anymore!  Hooray!!!  I know he'll do great, and I can't wait to see how much he accomplishes at the new place.  

So, that's the big news.  Other than that huge decision, things have been good, as usual.  As I said, we've been spending more & more time outside because of the mild weather.  I got some action shots of a new game Daddy & Z made up the other day.  It's the warm-weather equivalent to sledding down a snowy hill:

Don't worry, he was ok.

He's a VERY good actor.

As you can see, I'm still figuring out new features of my pretty camera.  I can take several action shots consecutively, to an endless degree.  Have I mentioned how much I love my camera?  Ok, probably.

Three things I'm grateful for today:

1.  Monster.com

2.  Answered prayers.

3.  Sunsets.

Off now to change and wash my car.  Z's going to help me, so hopefully we'll get done quickly, before the sun goes down.  It only feels warm out these days with the sun, and as soon as it goes down, it's chiiiiilly.  (Not that I'm complaining!)

Peace & pastries.

Today is a wonderfully frigid (roughly 30ish outside) and rainy day, and I'm just trying to get through the work day so I can get home & make a fire. I know it's strange, but I do adore weather like this & its probably only because we don't get it very often. All we usually get is heat, sun, and humidity so thick you can barely take a deep breath. Those days are not far off, so I'm going to savor every second of a day like today.

While at work, I had the pleasure of stumbling across a video that made me laugh on YouTube. I know at this point, that might make you question my productivity at work, but I promise my work did not suffer because of this small break in my day. If any of you watch The Soup on E!, you already know that Joel McHale is very funny (and adorable). He made this video even funnier than it already was on it's own, which takes talent. Looky here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kyMw43pZPI

Ahhh, awesomeness. It's the little things that get you through the day, right? I hope, with that, I helped spread some sunshine to all of those out there complaining that we don't have any today. And I heard lots of you throughout the day.

In other news, the knee brace is working well, and I resumed my ass-crack-of-dawn workout regimen yesterday. It has seemed to cut down on pain throughout the day, post-workout, so I will keep wearing it like a good little girl. My first physical therapy appointment is February 2, and I'm hoping my knee responds to it as well as it has to the brace. There's a glimmer of hope for no surgery - hooray!

Aaron and the little one are doing quite well, no major events to speak of. Z's teacher informed me last Friday that the flu is going around his school, so not to be shocked should he be stricken down. Greeeeeeat. [knocking on wood] He had three kids absent from his class yesterday, so it's moving fast. Please let us be spared!

I'm still planning on doing my 2008 recap blog, but just haven't had the kind of time I need to get it done. Hopefully soon! I usually take full advantage of Friday nights, because Z crashes early from his day at school & Aaron closes, but this Friday won't work. We are going to a party for Aaron's BFF who is celebrating his birthday & his recent divorce. I know it sounds callous, but if you knew his ex-wife for even one microsecond, you would be there helping him celebrate. Point being, I will hopefully find some time soon to run down the events and happenings that shaped our 2008.

Three things I'm grateful for today:

1. Heat. (Hey, I like cold weather, but I'm not stupid.)
2. Amber surprising me with lunch.
3. DVR. It comes in handy when you have to be in bed by 9:00pm.

Peace & pastries, folks.

Doctor visit

Had my knee appointment today, and got what I think is probably the best news I could expect to get.  He said that it appears my old knee injury has been stirred up a little by my constant working out.  As most of you know, I took a break from consistent workouts for oh, about a DECADE, so this is my knee's opinion of the whole situation.  (I'm getting the kneecap equivalent to the finger, essentially.)  Anyway, he prescribed me some physical therapy, and if my knee doesn't respond to the PT, then we'll discuss MRI's and a 2nd surgery.  Oh, and he also gave me this new, sexy knee brace:

Hot, right?  Ugh.  I'm not sure it could be more uncomfortable, but he wants me to wear it when I work out, or when I'm going to be doing anything that I think might aggravate my knee.  Hence the reason I had it on tonight, while on the ground playing Transformers with the kid.  I found him a hideout/camp-out type deal on clearance at Target, of course, Transformers themed, and he flipped.  He wanted me to share in the fun and get in it too, which was interesting.

The thing itself.

Z, transforming.

The end result of said transforming.

So, all in all, it was good news because I don't have to have surgery now.  It was slightly crappy news, because surgery might still be in my future, but we'll just wait and see what happens.  No need to stress about it now, when I could be using that energy in physical therapy.

I have to note a really cool thing that took place this week.  I stumbled across an old cousin of mine from Michigan on Facebook.  We haven't spoken for 25 years, and all of a sudden, there he was.  It amazed me and proved, once again, what a small world we live in.  I wrote him a message, he responded, and we've chatted online twice this week for a few hours each time.  We're slowly getting to know each other again, and it's wild.  The wildest part about it is he now lives in Dallas.  Over two decades have gone by, and it turns out he's only been three hours away from me for the last nine years.  Life is strange and amazing.  I'm glad we've reconnected.

The three things I'm grateful for today:

1.  Facebook.  Never thought I'd say that.

2.  Clearance items at Target.

3.  Co-pays versus straight-up medical bills.

Peace & pastries.