Today I am feeling crazy thankful. I just left a parent-only therapy session with Ally's therapist. We had such a great discussion.... and as I drove away.... and my hubby drove away.... each of us going back to work, I thought to myself how very lucky we are that EACH ONE OF US cares so much about our family, our daughter that we are willing to say "yes" to therapy and to work at our parenting and work at developing Ally's personality.
I am not ashamed to say I have been in therapy myself. Not ashamed to say Scott and I have been in therapy together. I wear it as a badge of honor. A badge that says "I care enough about me to work on me" or "I care enough about my marriage to work on my marriage"
I am also not stupid enough to say that I have all the answers........ and man..... I DO NOT HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS!!!!!!!
I am thankful for Dot's (Ally's therapist) help..... more thankful than words can say. She has spent time with my daugther. She knows and understands her.... her strengths and weaknesses. I am not so proud to say that as a parent, sometimes we do NOT know our kids really. There are always things our children will not let us see. That happens at all ages. Dot can see into Ally... really hear her... and then give us tips on the best way to help teach her, parent her, discipline her, and train her to use the "muscles" that she lacks the ability to use.
We are learning so much. Last week we learned the term "executive function." Google it. It's an amazing read. Today we learned about "mindful thinking." Looking forward to learning more. Dot is helping us to teach and practice with Ally, these skills that most adults do not have. Hell... I know I lack half of the executive fuction abilties.
I am thankful that I am not married to a man who thinks this is all a bunch of horse shit... cuz I know some dads/husbands would feel that way. Hell, some moms probably would too. I am glad that through all the crazy struggles of our life... and we've had some doozies... Scott and I can still, after 16 years of being together through the better and the worse.... we come together on the parenting of our children. Dot applauded our ability to parent together, when so many would be torn apart in the face of such a difficult child.
But.. we come together and we aren't afraid to work. Because we so just KNOW that she will be better on the other side. We will be better on the other side. We have lived getting better on the other side.
I am so thankful that this crazy storm of us... and our kids... and our family... has created these people who, face a hell of a lot of challenges... don't have it easy... but face every day willing to work and make it better, no matter how bad the day before was.
I am thankful for exactly who and exactly where I am. And not too many people can say that. :-)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Kiddio Update...
So.... this week has been a bit crazy. Scott had a training all week in Lansing... and even though it was FOR work... his actual "work" did not stop just because he was out, so he had to go into the office each night AFTER a full day in Lansing and work into the wee hours. I feel bad for him. He is completely worn out. Exhausted and brain dead. But, also, it was a wicked week for me since he was gone most of last week two. Two straight weeks of single parenting it for the week... not so cool.
All I can say is that if you are a single parent... my god bless you... it's a rough time... and you have a special place reserved for you in heaven.....
Last week went well... and it's a good thing or I wouldn't have survived this week. Nothing major went wrong.... I have just lost patience... kids miss normal routine that included Daddy... and Ally had a pretty big fit... first in a long time. Luke is being even MORE needy than usual - who knew THAT was possible????
Scott is on his way home from Lansing now... and we are looking forward to the long weekend together... at least we have that ahead of us.
This week was tougher it seems... we had more appointments and the weather was worse than ever. One of those appointments was the kids' annual physical... which was a huge stress in itself. Luke is a disaster at the doctor, and Ally was concerned about some things, so she was a bit worked up too. We had noticed something was growing in the same general area that she has had a wart (in her nose) the last two years. We have had to have surgery twice to remove it. So, when we saw that... we (and she!) assumed the wart was on its way back... as was another surgery. Add to that, this time, it was more outside and kids were starting to take notice... and you had one anxiety-filled little girl.
So.... we go to see the doc. Our regular doc is off on leave, so we saw an amazing nurse practitioner, Colleen that I just loved to pieces. She spent almost an hour with us.... which is awesome. My kids definitely got the full service physical. Luke is just screaming as soon as we go in. It's difficult to weigh him cuz he's gripping hold of me... but we get it done. He is weighing 32 pounds these days. Below the 25th percentile. Just below. No cause for concern at this point, but he was consistently closer to the 50th up to this point. His height is in the 50th still... and the doc said he is perfect. That's she rather have him a bit underweight than over... even at this point in life.
Then, Ally jumped on... 56 pounds.... and she's grown 3 inches in a year!!!!! 50th percentile for height for her... and she is right around the 25th for weight. At least my kids are consisten... average height and skinny. Doc told her she was "perfect" too... and we talked about food for a bit. Ally is a great, extremely healthy eater.... she just has a super high metabolism.
Ally underwent the exam first... and the doc told her immediately that her "wart" was not a wart at all... but a skin tag. She then went on to explain to her that she could pull it off herself... told her to hold ice to it someday when she was up for it... and just yank it off like you would a loose tooth. This all made Ally nervous... so Colleen was quick to say "not today.... you will know the day you are ready." The exam went on without incident. All good. Eyes, ears, joints, reflexes.... all good in the hood.
Luke watched in terror as Ally went through all this.... he knew he was next.... but he got to sit on my lap and his physical exam was much less invasive. He wasn't happy, but he did it.... and he didn't scream. A tear or two was shed... but he made it through. Unfortunately, for him... that was not the end. Luke had to have a booster shot and a poke for his hemoglobin test. That was a disaster. He said his leg hurt for two days. He might not be the toughest cookie on the block.... :-))))))
That night.... Ally decided to be brave... she iced her skin tag... and after many failed attempts... she pulled that sucker off! :-) She is so relieved... as am I. No worries of teasing... no concerns over surgery... good, good stuff.....
In other Ally news.... she is letting me leave her hair curly.... since it's warmer and humid these days... I really pretty much just told her this was how it's gonna be. Impossible for me to get it straight in this weather!!!! She had an apt at Divinity this week, and her stylist, Michelle was wearing her hair curly (it's usually straight) so Ally was super excited. We got a new style... new products... and a decision to let out bangs grow out!!! A good summer task..... Ally is really excited cuz she has to wear a barret every day to hold her bangs over... and she informs me that she has "always hated having bangs..." :-)
Who knew? ;-)
The end of the school year is only two weeks away!! Where did it go? How did my girl already complete the second grade!!?? I am so crazy proud of her this year. It's been rough in a lot of ways.. but she has faced it head on, and we have faced a lot of other shit head on together this year too... and she is growing, emotionally, in leaps and bounds. Setbacks will always be inevitable... but she is really, over all, turning a corner.... or maybe we are all just learning? ;-)
We have our summer schedule all figured out. I will be working the same hours as I was the school year.... with some tweaks! Monday, both the kids will go to my in-laws, and I will work a longer day.... maybe til 4 or so... because on Tuesdays I need to pick Ally up from gymnastics by 2. Ally will spend her morning each Tuesday with her friend Kennedy as Kennedy's mom has graciously offered to keep her and get the girls to gymnastics at noon. Then, Wednesdays, Ally will spend at Day Camp a the Country Club cuz she will have Golf those days... I just have to pick her up by 4.
Thursdays she still has gymnastics, but I can get her there... and then, I am thinking most Thursdays will be our afternoon at the pool after... and maybe all day Friday too, depending on what's going on! And there you have our weekly summer schedule. For the most part. With some changes here and there.
I am ready for summer to be here already.... I am over the worst spring on record. Just bring on the heat already.... I won't complain about 90... I won't say once I'm too hot. I swear it!!! Just stop with the rain!!!!!!!!!!!
Hopefully, we will have some sun this weekend... we are going out to dinner tonight... have a wedding tomorrow, and hopefully can spend some time with Scott's brother who is in town visiting, Sunday.. maybe the boys can golf or something... the pool opens this weekend, but I doubt there will be enough heat to swim.... maybe for the kids, but definitely not for mommy. ;-)
Enjoy your weekends... whatever you are doing..... !!!!!!
All I can say is that if you are a single parent... my god bless you... it's a rough time... and you have a special place reserved for you in heaven.....
Last week went well... and it's a good thing or I wouldn't have survived this week. Nothing major went wrong.... I have just lost patience... kids miss normal routine that included Daddy... and Ally had a pretty big fit... first in a long time. Luke is being even MORE needy than usual - who knew THAT was possible????
Scott is on his way home from Lansing now... and we are looking forward to the long weekend together... at least we have that ahead of us.
This week was tougher it seems... we had more appointments and the weather was worse than ever. One of those appointments was the kids' annual physical... which was a huge stress in itself. Luke is a disaster at the doctor, and Ally was concerned about some things, so she was a bit worked up too. We had noticed something was growing in the same general area that she has had a wart (in her nose) the last two years. We have had to have surgery twice to remove it. So, when we saw that... we (and she!) assumed the wart was on its way back... as was another surgery. Add to that, this time, it was more outside and kids were starting to take notice... and you had one anxiety-filled little girl.
So.... we go to see the doc. Our regular doc is off on leave, so we saw an amazing nurse practitioner, Colleen that I just loved to pieces. She spent almost an hour with us.... which is awesome. My kids definitely got the full service physical. Luke is just screaming as soon as we go in. It's difficult to weigh him cuz he's gripping hold of me... but we get it done. He is weighing 32 pounds these days. Below the 25th percentile. Just below. No cause for concern at this point, but he was consistently closer to the 50th up to this point. His height is in the 50th still... and the doc said he is perfect. That's she rather have him a bit underweight than over... even at this point in life.
Then, Ally jumped on... 56 pounds.... and she's grown 3 inches in a year!!!!! 50th percentile for height for her... and she is right around the 25th for weight. At least my kids are consisten... average height and skinny. Doc told her she was "perfect" too... and we talked about food for a bit. Ally is a great, extremely healthy eater.... she just has a super high metabolism.
Ally underwent the exam first... and the doc told her immediately that her "wart" was not a wart at all... but a skin tag. She then went on to explain to her that she could pull it off herself... told her to hold ice to it someday when she was up for it... and just yank it off like you would a loose tooth. This all made Ally nervous... so Colleen was quick to say "not today.... you will know the day you are ready." The exam went on without incident. All good. Eyes, ears, joints, reflexes.... all good in the hood.
Luke watched in terror as Ally went through all this.... he knew he was next.... but he got to sit on my lap and his physical exam was much less invasive. He wasn't happy, but he did it.... and he didn't scream. A tear or two was shed... but he made it through. Unfortunately, for him... that was not the end. Luke had to have a booster shot and a poke for his hemoglobin test. That was a disaster. He said his leg hurt for two days. He might not be the toughest cookie on the block.... :-))))))
That night.... Ally decided to be brave... she iced her skin tag... and after many failed attempts... she pulled that sucker off! :-) She is so relieved... as am I. No worries of teasing... no concerns over surgery... good, good stuff.....
In other Ally news.... she is letting me leave her hair curly.... since it's warmer and humid these days... I really pretty much just told her this was how it's gonna be. Impossible for me to get it straight in this weather!!!! She had an apt at Divinity this week, and her stylist, Michelle was wearing her hair curly (it's usually straight) so Ally was super excited. We got a new style... new products... and a decision to let out bangs grow out!!! A good summer task..... Ally is really excited cuz she has to wear a barret every day to hold her bangs over... and she informs me that she has "always hated having bangs..." :-)
Who knew? ;-)
The end of the school year is only two weeks away!! Where did it go? How did my girl already complete the second grade!!?? I am so crazy proud of her this year. It's been rough in a lot of ways.. but she has faced it head on, and we have faced a lot of other shit head on together this year too... and she is growing, emotionally, in leaps and bounds. Setbacks will always be inevitable... but she is really, over all, turning a corner.... or maybe we are all just learning? ;-)
We have our summer schedule all figured out. I will be working the same hours as I was the school year.... with some tweaks! Monday, both the kids will go to my in-laws, and I will work a longer day.... maybe til 4 or so... because on Tuesdays I need to pick Ally up from gymnastics by 2. Ally will spend her morning each Tuesday with her friend Kennedy as Kennedy's mom has graciously offered to keep her and get the girls to gymnastics at noon. Then, Wednesdays, Ally will spend at Day Camp a the Country Club cuz she will have Golf those days... I just have to pick her up by 4.
Thursdays she still has gymnastics, but I can get her there... and then, I am thinking most Thursdays will be our afternoon at the pool after... and maybe all day Friday too, depending on what's going on! And there you have our weekly summer schedule. For the most part. With some changes here and there.
I am ready for summer to be here already.... I am over the worst spring on record. Just bring on the heat already.... I won't complain about 90... I won't say once I'm too hot. I swear it!!! Just stop with the rain!!!!!!!!!!!
Hopefully, we will have some sun this weekend... we are going out to dinner tonight... have a wedding tomorrow, and hopefully can spend some time with Scott's brother who is in town visiting, Sunday.. maybe the boys can golf or something... the pool opens this weekend, but I doubt there will be enough heat to swim.... maybe for the kids, but definitely not for mommy. ;-)
Enjoy your weekends... whatever you are doing..... !!!!!!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Wonderful Weekend...
Well, after a great week - where I was "mostly" alone with the kids and rocked the shit out of single parenting (pat, pat my back!)... Scott and I had the greatest weekend. We didn't do anything special or that spectacular... it was just all around great!
Scott returned Thursday evening... I made him one of his favorite "comfort food" meals... opened one of the good bottles of wine... and welcomed him home in style. He was very happy to be home. The kids were thrilled to see him. We had a great evening of food, wine and catching up! Sometimes the best part of being together, is being apart for a while so you appreciate and celebrate that time! So, we did. Ally made a sign for the door and we made a little party of it.
Friday, Scott decided he needed the day at home... so he didn't go to work. Ally still had school, and it's a normal day off for me... so other than an apt that Scott had to run out for, we were all home together. It worked out nicely, because we had plans that night to go to dinner with some friends to the Common Grill in Chelsea. We decided that since our reservation wasn't until 8 pm, we would still leave early and go to Ann Arbor, do some shopping together and then, have a drink just the two of us before dinner. Which is just what we did! We enjoyed the time together and then had a blast with two other couples we have gotten to know through school and such. We went back to one of their houses afterwards and talked the night away... stayed out too late, drank too much... and generally had a great time.
Saturday, we were "ahem" feeling the effects of our night... but it was worth it. We lazed around all day and the kids were super cooperative since Mommy and Daddy weren't the most fun people in the world. ;-) We did go out to dinner - best hangover food around - Steak and Shake baby. Cheese fries. Burgers. Yes... we needed grease. :-)))))
Sunday, we woke up ready to go. It was a gorgeous day... so we started to clean out and fill the giant (no exaggeration here people!!!) roll off bin we had delivered the week before. We knew we had some big stuff to get rid of... then, the bin came... and we laughed thinking "overkill???" But damn if we haven't almost filled that thing! Holy crap I love throwing shit out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT!
We spent lots of time outside... the kids were, once again, super cooperative with not doing too much.... we were busy, yes... but not doing super fun stuff..... I guess there is fun to be had in throwing crap away... I am teaching them young. Hoarders they will never be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
So... when I laid my head down last night, I just thought about how perfect the weekend was. Some serious partying/night out with my hubby and adults... some lazy time... some serious cleaning... and some time just hanging with my kids. An absolutely wonderful weekend..... :-)
Scott returned Thursday evening... I made him one of his favorite "comfort food" meals... opened one of the good bottles of wine... and welcomed him home in style. He was very happy to be home. The kids were thrilled to see him. We had a great evening of food, wine and catching up! Sometimes the best part of being together, is being apart for a while so you appreciate and celebrate that time! So, we did. Ally made a sign for the door and we made a little party of it.
Friday, Scott decided he needed the day at home... so he didn't go to work. Ally still had school, and it's a normal day off for me... so other than an apt that Scott had to run out for, we were all home together. It worked out nicely, because we had plans that night to go to dinner with some friends to the Common Grill in Chelsea. We decided that since our reservation wasn't until 8 pm, we would still leave early and go to Ann Arbor, do some shopping together and then, have a drink just the two of us before dinner. Which is just what we did! We enjoyed the time together and then had a blast with two other couples we have gotten to know through school and such. We went back to one of their houses afterwards and talked the night away... stayed out too late, drank too much... and generally had a great time.
Saturday, we were "ahem" feeling the effects of our night... but it was worth it. We lazed around all day and the kids were super cooperative since Mommy and Daddy weren't the most fun people in the world. ;-) We did go out to dinner - best hangover food around - Steak and Shake baby. Cheese fries. Burgers. Yes... we needed grease. :-)))))
Sunday, we woke up ready to go. It was a gorgeous day... so we started to clean out and fill the giant (no exaggeration here people!!!) roll off bin we had delivered the week before. We knew we had some big stuff to get rid of... then, the bin came... and we laughed thinking "overkill???" But damn if we haven't almost filled that thing! Holy crap I love throwing shit out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT!
We spent lots of time outside... the kids were, once again, super cooperative with not doing too much.... we were busy, yes... but not doing super fun stuff..... I guess there is fun to be had in throwing crap away... I am teaching them young. Hoarders they will never be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
So... when I laid my head down last night, I just thought about how perfect the weekend was. Some serious partying/night out with my hubby and adults... some lazy time... some serious cleaning... and some time just hanging with my kids. An absolutely wonderful weekend..... :-)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Kudos to Me...
Yep... I'm givin' myself some kudos. I have rocked this week! We are running like a finely tuned machine, the kids and I. I am keeping to a schedule... a routine... checkin' things off my list, but keeping expectations low and things simple. And it's going great! The house is completely picked up and in order. I have remembered to take the garbage out, the recycling out (no small task!!!), feed the dogs, let them in and out, and get the kids fed each morning. These are Scott's "usual" daily jobs... and I have incorporated them into mine.
Sure... Ally has gotten to school at 8:04 two days in a row, and then, today, 8:09.... but that's ON TIME!!! ;-) Sure I drop Luke and run all the while he's screaming "one more kiss mommy" and breaking my heart... but we are doing just fine.
Wednesdays are a nice, early home day. I get Ally, get Luke and am home by 4 at the latest. That means we can make a more elaborate dinner... accomplish more of our weekly homework... and maybe enjoy some more time together. Ally has been happy to step up and help... helping me haul out the six recycling bins and tons of extra cardboard this morning. Happy to help me get Luke up... and do her normal tasks of her own dishes, laying out her clothes, getting dressed and her homework. I am very proud of her this week and thankful for her attitude. Therapy rocked yesterday... and we both left feeling hopeful and happy.
And, here it is.. Wednesday... my final work day! I had a busy work week... but got everything done and rocked it (if I do say so myself once again!). A glass of wine for me tonite. Yes sir. I've earned it.
Sure... Ally has gotten to school at 8:04 two days in a row, and then, today, 8:09.... but that's ON TIME!!! ;-) Sure I drop Luke and run all the while he's screaming "one more kiss mommy" and breaking my heart... but we are doing just fine.
Wednesdays are a nice, early home day. I get Ally, get Luke and am home by 4 at the latest. That means we can make a more elaborate dinner... accomplish more of our weekly homework... and maybe enjoy some more time together. Ally has been happy to step up and help... helping me haul out the six recycling bins and tons of extra cardboard this morning. Happy to help me get Luke up... and do her normal tasks of her own dishes, laying out her clothes, getting dressed and her homework. I am very proud of her this week and thankful for her attitude. Therapy rocked yesterday... and we both left feeling hopeful and happy.
And, here it is.. Wednesday... my final work day! I had a busy work week... but got everything done and rocked it (if I do say so myself once again!). A glass of wine for me tonite. Yes sir. I've earned it.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Goin' It Solo....
This week I am a single parent while Scott is out of town! He left Sunday morning before the kids even got up... so I got to break the news to them. Luke doesn't really care. He only brings Daddy up when he's mad at me. Last night at bedtime, I was the "meanest mommy ever" and he wished "daddy would come home right now." ;-)
Ally was pretty bummed. She cried for a while... and I let her work through her disappointment. She is okay though, no acting out as a result... actually, if anything, she is trying extra hard to be more good than usual. It's really odd, the kids tend to be better behaved if only one of us is home with them. It's a very good thing, don't get me wrong... just odd! But, boy am I thankful, cuz I don't think I could cope with them both melting down and me going in alone for a week!
Sunday was a down day for us. What crap weather. Seriously. I am so over this cold. This rain. This is just crap! We watched movies and picked up the house... and generally did nothing. I had zero energy. And the kids were cooperative with that. Sometimes they can be little angels. ;-)
Monday we all had to get out of the house on time... have it ready for the cleaning lady... dogs put away downstairs.. check made... and lots of little things done. I did it! Got Ally to school on time and everything. Huge kudos for me. Yesterday, we didn't even get home until almost 6:30... so it was a quick dinner, clean up and some play time and stories before bed! Luke fought bed time like he always does the days he takes a nap... we don't go in his room anymore... we put him down and he essentially tries to manipulate us into coming in for about an hour sometimes. At first , it was back and forth... then, we started explaining we were NOT coming in anymore... we don't.... and he still tries. We talk to him from the hall, our room or wherever we are... and mostly, he just wants to know that we're still there. He works it though... with his "Mommy!? I just love you!!!" and his "You are the bestest Mommy ever! Goodnight!" Oh that kid is good..................
Ally has been working to "earn" sleeping with me while Scott is gone. If she is good and does everything that she should without complaint each evening, she can sleep with me. It's working quite well... and we talk every night that when Daddy returns, this slumber party ends... and she cannot complain about going back to her bed or it won't happen again when Daddy goes away. We have never, ever allowed the kids to sleep with us... worrying that it is a slippery slope... but I am keeping my fingers crossed that she is old enough to enjoy this as a "perk" and go back to business as usual upon Scott's return. I also really enjoy the warm body next to me in bed. ;-)
This morning was a little more hairied. I got up fifteen minutes later... and boy what a difference those minutes made!!!! I had to get the garbage out... dogs fed... kids fed... dogs out... and kids ready...... oh, and myself which is no small task...... but we did it on time once again. I had to literally drop Luke and run... but Ally got to school at 8:04 and the bell rings at 8:10 . YAY me.......... :-))))))
Tonite, we have therapy after school...... and a later get home time once again. That's the one thing I hate about therapy for Ally... I get home like I work full time on Tuesdays... and it reminds me why that sucked so bad.... starting dinner at 6/6:30 is not cool.
I am busy at work this week... working toward a Wednesday deadline on a project... so that adds a little more stress than the average week. But we are powering through............ Scott will be home Thursday night and I am more than thrilled that he and I already had a date night planned for Friday night........ we will need it!! :-)
Ally was pretty bummed. She cried for a while... and I let her work through her disappointment. She is okay though, no acting out as a result... actually, if anything, she is trying extra hard to be more good than usual. It's really odd, the kids tend to be better behaved if only one of us is home with them. It's a very good thing, don't get me wrong... just odd! But, boy am I thankful, cuz I don't think I could cope with them both melting down and me going in alone for a week!
Sunday was a down day for us. What crap weather. Seriously. I am so over this cold. This rain. This is just crap! We watched movies and picked up the house... and generally did nothing. I had zero energy. And the kids were cooperative with that. Sometimes they can be little angels. ;-)
Monday we all had to get out of the house on time... have it ready for the cleaning lady... dogs put away downstairs.. check made... and lots of little things done. I did it! Got Ally to school on time and everything. Huge kudos for me. Yesterday, we didn't even get home until almost 6:30... so it was a quick dinner, clean up and some play time and stories before bed! Luke fought bed time like he always does the days he takes a nap... we don't go in his room anymore... we put him down and he essentially tries to manipulate us into coming in for about an hour sometimes. At first , it was back and forth... then, we started explaining we were NOT coming in anymore... we don't.... and he still tries. We talk to him from the hall, our room or wherever we are... and mostly, he just wants to know that we're still there. He works it though... with his "Mommy!? I just love you!!!" and his "You are the bestest Mommy ever! Goodnight!" Oh that kid is good..................
Ally has been working to "earn" sleeping with me while Scott is gone. If she is good and does everything that she should without complaint each evening, she can sleep with me. It's working quite well... and we talk every night that when Daddy returns, this slumber party ends... and she cannot complain about going back to her bed or it won't happen again when Daddy goes away. We have never, ever allowed the kids to sleep with us... worrying that it is a slippery slope... but I am keeping my fingers crossed that she is old enough to enjoy this as a "perk" and go back to business as usual upon Scott's return. I also really enjoy the warm body next to me in bed. ;-)
This morning was a little more hairied. I got up fifteen minutes later... and boy what a difference those minutes made!!!! I had to get the garbage out... dogs fed... kids fed... dogs out... and kids ready...... oh, and myself which is no small task...... but we did it on time once again. I had to literally drop Luke and run... but Ally got to school at 8:04 and the bell rings at 8:10 . YAY me.......... :-))))))
Tonite, we have therapy after school...... and a later get home time once again. That's the one thing I hate about therapy for Ally... I get home like I work full time on Tuesdays... and it reminds me why that sucked so bad.... starting dinner at 6/6:30 is not cool.
I am busy at work this week... working toward a Wednesday deadline on a project... so that adds a little more stress than the average week. But we are powering through............ Scott will be home Thursday night and I am more than thrilled that he and I already had a date night planned for Friday night........ we will need it!! :-)
Friday, May 13, 2011
Long Time, No Blog...
So, it's been a while. First of all - anyone who was "following" the saga of Ally on the other blog... it's gone... for a few reasons. One, I just can't keep up with one, let alone two. It wasn't the help I thought it would be writing in all out and venting.... Two, things are going okay... I guess I had this vision that I would have these battles to write about and that's just not happening. While we have taken some steps back after many weeks of good times... things are still improving... and well, I'm sick of saying "I don't have much to report!" :-)))))
That said, Ally has been struggling this past week starting last weekend. And, I've been sick most of this week and struggling to work and parent, let alone really parent her the way she needs to be. So, this week has been about survival. I have a horrid cold. It's making me tired, keeping me from enjoying the weather and generally making me grumpy. Who has time for crap like this? Sickness makes me angry. Nice attitude huh.....
We have been busy. My mom was in town from April 29 through May 7.... so we did a lot while she was here. Lots of family gatherings, meals out and the like. My great uncle was really sick there for a while... he's been battling cancer and doing well, the tumor is all but gone... but the chemo and radiation are doing him in. He fought off pneumonia last week and it was touch and go... but it looks like he will pull through. My aunt's dad just died, which breaks my heart. And... we are supposed to get together for another aunt's 50th birthday celebration tomorrow... hopefully, most of us can still make it. Dinner at Klavons and off to a Lugnuts game. Hopefully the weather cooperates.
Spring is in full force. I am itching to get the back yard and deck in order. Last year we put a new deck and fence in... this year is the year to make it all look a little nicer! We have to landscape around the perimeter of the fence and get some giant pots of flowers for these platforms on the deck. I want some color out there against that huge white expanse of fence!!!! I don't know what to do about the play structure that we have for the kids that is outside the fence. It's not super convenient for them to get to. Hard with the dogs. I would maybe like a smaller one inside the fence? I don't know..... I hate to spend a lot and have them not even care.... or play on it! Which is totally more likely....
Ally only has four weeks left of school! I am cautiously looking forward to the summer. I hope we can maintain some routine for her to maintain stability in all that we are trying to do. She will have gymnastics twice a week... which I think is a good thing. She will go to Nana and Papa's on Monday and Wednesdays. Tuesdays, she will be with a friend in the morning until gymnastics. A wonderful mom of a friend she is in school with and gymnastics with, offered to have Ally over each Tuesday! And then, she will have gymnastics again Thursdays.. but I am off and can take her. I am off Thursdays and Fridays....
We joined the Country Club recently, so we can enjoy lots of time at the pool there this summer. With as much as I will be off, it will be nice to have a summer-long place to "vacation!" I plan to spend many afternoons lounging with the kids, sipping a beverage. Ally is going to do some of the day camps they have out there and is thinking about Junior Golf since a couple of her friends do it. We shall see.
We have one big vacation planned to Cape Hatteras with Scott's family. We are staying in Buxton at THIS COTTAGE
That should be a good time. Scott and I will take other time off together, we just don't have any big trips planned just yet. We gave up the South Haven vacation to have the summer at the pool... but a long weekend here or there... or some "staycations" might be in order. Who knows....
I have a girls' weekend coming up in June. Two of my best friends are turning 35 and it's my half birthday too... so we decided to celebrate... we are trying to get a hotel in Chicago, but there is a big half marathon the weekend we want so Chicago is booked. Even though the girls live in Chicago, they want to be out of their house and vacation in the city they never vacation in! And, one of them is married with kids and that's not much of a girls' weekend now is it!? ;-)
We need to get Ally to Chicago this summer... she always needs a little catch up with her friend Isabel. We need to take some day trips to South Haven. I drove there this past week for a meeting.. and I always forget how very close it really is. Easy to do in a day!
It is the season of bridal showers and weddings and we have a couple. Graduation parties... we have at least one. And who knows what else. Summer to me is just enjoying as much time as you can with your favorite people... and I plan to do just that. So come on summer... you can arrive any time as far as I'm concerned.........
That said, Ally has been struggling this past week starting last weekend. And, I've been sick most of this week and struggling to work and parent, let alone really parent her the way she needs to be. So, this week has been about survival. I have a horrid cold. It's making me tired, keeping me from enjoying the weather and generally making me grumpy. Who has time for crap like this? Sickness makes me angry. Nice attitude huh.....
We have been busy. My mom was in town from April 29 through May 7.... so we did a lot while she was here. Lots of family gatherings, meals out and the like. My great uncle was really sick there for a while... he's been battling cancer and doing well, the tumor is all but gone... but the chemo and radiation are doing him in. He fought off pneumonia last week and it was touch and go... but it looks like he will pull through. My aunt's dad just died, which breaks my heart. And... we are supposed to get together for another aunt's 50th birthday celebration tomorrow... hopefully, most of us can still make it. Dinner at Klavons and off to a Lugnuts game. Hopefully the weather cooperates.
Spring is in full force. I am itching to get the back yard and deck in order. Last year we put a new deck and fence in... this year is the year to make it all look a little nicer! We have to landscape around the perimeter of the fence and get some giant pots of flowers for these platforms on the deck. I want some color out there against that huge white expanse of fence!!!! I don't know what to do about the play structure that we have for the kids that is outside the fence. It's not super convenient for them to get to. Hard with the dogs. I would maybe like a smaller one inside the fence? I don't know..... I hate to spend a lot and have them not even care.... or play on it! Which is totally more likely....
Ally only has four weeks left of school! I am cautiously looking forward to the summer. I hope we can maintain some routine for her to maintain stability in all that we are trying to do. She will have gymnastics twice a week... which I think is a good thing. She will go to Nana and Papa's on Monday and Wednesdays. Tuesdays, she will be with a friend in the morning until gymnastics. A wonderful mom of a friend she is in school with and gymnastics with, offered to have Ally over each Tuesday! And then, she will have gymnastics again Thursdays.. but I am off and can take her. I am off Thursdays and Fridays....
We joined the Country Club recently, so we can enjoy lots of time at the pool there this summer. With as much as I will be off, it will be nice to have a summer-long place to "vacation!" I plan to spend many afternoons lounging with the kids, sipping a beverage. Ally is going to do some of the day camps they have out there and is thinking about Junior Golf since a couple of her friends do it. We shall see.
We have one big vacation planned to Cape Hatteras with Scott's family. We are staying in Buxton at THIS COTTAGE
That should be a good time. Scott and I will take other time off together, we just don't have any big trips planned just yet. We gave up the South Haven vacation to have the summer at the pool... but a long weekend here or there... or some "staycations" might be in order. Who knows....
I have a girls' weekend coming up in June. Two of my best friends are turning 35 and it's my half birthday too... so we decided to celebrate... we are trying to get a hotel in Chicago, but there is a big half marathon the weekend we want so Chicago is booked. Even though the girls live in Chicago, they want to be out of their house and vacation in the city they never vacation in! And, one of them is married with kids and that's not much of a girls' weekend now is it!? ;-)
We need to get Ally to Chicago this summer... she always needs a little catch up with her friend Isabel. We need to take some day trips to South Haven. I drove there this past week for a meeting.. and I always forget how very close it really is. Easy to do in a day!
It is the season of bridal showers and weddings and we have a couple. Graduation parties... we have at least one. And who knows what else. Summer to me is just enjoying as much time as you can with your favorite people... and I plan to do just that. So come on summer... you can arrive any time as far as I'm concerned.........
Thursday, May 5, 2011
First Communion...
Ally's First Communion was this past Sunday. It was such a wonderful day!!!! Ally was very excited to dress up in her white dress and wear some new jewelry we got her. I ended up getting her an "add a pearl" necklace, but she informed me she likes the necklace as it is and doesn't want to change it. We will see how she feel about that as the years go by.
We got to mass nice and early and were able to capture many gorgeous pictures with Ally and some of her friends. The mass itself was amazing. Father Tim did a great job... he brought the kids up on the altar for the homily... the link to the YouTube Video captured by Ally's teacher's hubby can be seen HERE.
It was a really emotional day for me... and I could tell it was for Ally too. Months of prep have gone into this day. It was more than the dress, the party, the gifts.... it was the sacrament and Ally really knew that. It is amazing to watch your child learn about faith... and I am more than proud of her.
She was exhausted after the mass... and ready to get home. She didn't even want to stay in her dress for long... she wanted to be comfy... and I went with the flow on that one. Even though I didn't get a single picture with her myself... or half the pictures I wanted to get... but that's okay. What I did capture, I love and cherish...
We got to mass nice and early and were able to capture many gorgeous pictures with Ally and some of her friends. The mass itself was amazing. Father Tim did a great job... he brought the kids up on the altar for the homily... the link to the YouTube Video captured by Ally's teacher's hubby can be seen HERE.
It was a really emotional day for me... and I could tell it was for Ally too. Months of prep have gone into this day. It was more than the dress, the party, the gifts.... it was the sacrament and Ally really knew that. It is amazing to watch your child learn about faith... and I am more than proud of her.
She was exhausted after the mass... and ready to get home. She didn't even want to stay in her dress for long... she wanted to be comfy... and I went with the flow on that one. Even though I didn't get a single picture with her myself... or half the pictures I wanted to get... but that's okay. What I did capture, I love and cherish...
Pen Pals...
Ally gave me a letter that she wrote to her cousin Natalie in Kansas City.... she informed me that they are "pen pals."
The letter reads:
Dear Natalee,
Guess what? Are fridge is broken! Well, we got a new one! It's silver are other one was white! But... the freezer door won't open! So... no ice cream!
Your fridge is probally swell,
Ally
:-)
The letter reads:
Dear Natalee,
Guess what? Are fridge is broken! Well, we got a new one! It's silver are other one was white! But... the freezer door won't open! So... no ice cream!
Your fridge is probally swell,
Ally
:-)
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