Not to tempt fate. Not to comment on how well things are going in a particular area...because as soon as you do that, you just know that Fate is going to swoop in and muck it all up.
I went to lunch with a friend yesterday and we somehow got on the topic of children's ear problems. I mentioned that A's ear surgery last summer seems to have been very effective...her hearing has been restored to almost 100% and she hasn't had an ear infection since before the surgery.
So guess what?
A just now called me from school, complaining of an earache. This is not good. Not good at all. You see, A doesn't just get earaches. She gets ear infections. Every single earache this child has ever had (that I can remember) since she was 8 months old has turned out to be an ear infection.
Tonight is night two of the school play and there are two more performances tomorrow -- her big speaking role that she is SO excited about. She just doesn't need an ear infection right now. Not to mention that if she starts getting ear infections again we're looking at more surgery.
*Sigh* Why can't I remember to not tempt fate?
Friday, March 16, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
The Children I Chose to Have
One of the blogs I read daily posted a link to this http://www.guardian.co.uk/family/story/0,,2030155,00.html article. I enjoyed reading it and it gave me a fresh perspective on the challenge, rollercoaster, journey, and joy that is Motherhood. While the author says she is happy with the decision she and her husband have made, the last paragraph of the article betrays her heart.
One of my other favorite bloggers has been posting over the last couple of weeks about her and her husband's journey through infertility, adoption, and subsequent pregnancy. If you haven't taken time to read Kristie's blog http://www.notquitewhatihadplanned.blogspot.com/, you must! She will make you laugh, cry, laugh some more, and think. While we haven't been through the extensive journey she and her husband went through to have children, we have had our own share of bumps in the road. So has my sister M.
I've thought about the decision to have, or not have, children quite a bit lately. Quite a bit. Some might say I've thought about it too much. Others might say I haven't thought about it enough. But it's been weighing heavily on my mind.
Our decision to have children was not taken lightly. Neither was Kristie's. Neither is my sister's, or my other two sisters. It was something we prayed about and wanted so badly. I cannot imagine life without my children. It is, as the author of the first article wrote, a "firework-exciting, chaotic rollercoaster ride with the most joy-giving little creature(s) imaginable." What a ride, indeed.
My heart goes out to those who experience the heartache of infertility. But my heart also aches for those who consciously choose not to have children. Those who choose to cut themselves off from a precious life full of joy, laughter, love, snuggles, sticky hugs, fingerprints on the furniture, crayon on the walls, craziness, frantic schedules, lack of sleep, and even pain and tears. Anyone who says parenthood does not involve pain and tears is lying. But the pain and tears are, at least in my experience, compensated by joy, laughter, and love. I understand why some people choose not to have children. Just the same, I know they are missing out on something wonderful. Something hard, but wonderful. I know we learn a lot about Heavenly Father and his infinite capacity for unconditional love, forgiveness, and mercy by being parents.
So today I am grateful for the children my husband and I chose to have. We wish we had more children. Sometimes things don't work out the way we planned, hoped, or dreamed. But I am grateful every day of my life for the children we chose to have and the countless ways they have blessed my life. I love you, A and B.
One of my other favorite bloggers has been posting over the last couple of weeks about her and her husband's journey through infertility, adoption, and subsequent pregnancy. If you haven't taken time to read Kristie's blog http://www.notquitewhatihadplanned.blogspot.com/, you must! She will make you laugh, cry, laugh some more, and think. While we haven't been through the extensive journey she and her husband went through to have children, we have had our own share of bumps in the road. So has my sister M.
I've thought about the decision to have, or not have, children quite a bit lately. Quite a bit. Some might say I've thought about it too much. Others might say I haven't thought about it enough. But it's been weighing heavily on my mind.
Our decision to have children was not taken lightly. Neither was Kristie's. Neither is my sister's, or my other two sisters. It was something we prayed about and wanted so badly. I cannot imagine life without my children. It is, as the author of the first article wrote, a "firework-exciting, chaotic rollercoaster ride with the most joy-giving little creature(s) imaginable." What a ride, indeed.
My heart goes out to those who experience the heartache of infertility. But my heart also aches for those who consciously choose not to have children. Those who choose to cut themselves off from a precious life full of joy, laughter, love, snuggles, sticky hugs, fingerprints on the furniture, crayon on the walls, craziness, frantic schedules, lack of sleep, and even pain and tears. Anyone who says parenthood does not involve pain and tears is lying. But the pain and tears are, at least in my experience, compensated by joy, laughter, and love. I understand why some people choose not to have children. Just the same, I know they are missing out on something wonderful. Something hard, but wonderful. I know we learn a lot about Heavenly Father and his infinite capacity for unconditional love, forgiveness, and mercy by being parents.
So today I am grateful for the children my husband and I chose to have. We wish we had more children. Sometimes things don't work out the way we planned, hoped, or dreamed. But I am grateful every day of my life for the children we chose to have and the countless ways they have blessed my life. I love you, A and B.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Can I take a nap now?
Whew...I'm tired.
We went on a family shopping trip Friday night and found Easter dresses for the girls. The girls and I enjoyed ourselves. DH did not, LOL! Saturday was our ward's youth temple trip and I ended up going. We had a nice trip and several of the kids were able to do temple work for their own families, which is always a neat experience. Got home from that and took A and two of her friends shopping. It was fun and I enjoyed spending time with them. One of A's friends loves marshmallow Peeps (gross!) and she bought one package in every single color they had at the store (7 packages). I think her Mom might want to strangle me!
Sunday was an insane day. I went to Ward Council, then church, then choir, then rehearsal for something else...left the house at 7:15 and got home at 2:15. Then had to be back at church at 6:30 for a recognition event for one of the girls in youth group. It was a really event and I'm glad I was able to participate. But it made for a very long day.
I had a frustrating day at church, though. I normally don't speak up in meetings (especially Sunday School) unless I feel very strongly about something. Well, I spoke up in two separate meetings on Sunday and both times, a particular person vehemently disagreed with what I said and contributed...without allowing me to clarify myself. It was not pleasant and I was, to say the least, quite upset about it. I have noticed that there are some people in this world who don't appreciate women with strong opinions. There are more than a few at church. It left a very bad taste in my mouth.
Monday was dress rehearsal for the school play. We learned that it will definitely take more than the time allotted for us to get hair and makeup done on the entire cast....the cast is much bigger than I thought it was! Today is another dress rehearsal so we'll see how it goes.
B is still thoroughly enjoying soccer and had fun in their scrimmage game yesterday. She is also anxiously awaiting the arrival of her reading glasses (yes, she needs reading glasses) and she said that having her glasses might help her enjoy reading again. I hope so!
M is enjoying coaching season being over but now he's spending a lot of time in the car, chauffering the kids around to their activities. Welcome to my world, dear! He really doesn't enjoy being on the go so much. I do. Just another way that we're opposites.
I have some shopping to do for the school play and both girls need new shoes. They are growing SO fast right now...it's unbelievable. New clothes they received for Christmas, not even a full 3 months ago, are already too short/too small.
A dear friend of mine has been badly mistreated at work and I feel so very sad for this person and the things they have had to/are having to endure. Let me tell you this much -- the title "Department of Justice" is definitely not an appropriate name for that federal agency. I have never seen such injustice, mistreatment, and mismanagement in my life.
We went on a family shopping trip Friday night and found Easter dresses for the girls. The girls and I enjoyed ourselves. DH did not, LOL! Saturday was our ward's youth temple trip and I ended up going. We had a nice trip and several of the kids were able to do temple work for their own families, which is always a neat experience. Got home from that and took A and two of her friends shopping. It was fun and I enjoyed spending time with them. One of A's friends loves marshmallow Peeps (gross!) and she bought one package in every single color they had at the store (7 packages). I think her Mom might want to strangle me!
Sunday was an insane day. I went to Ward Council, then church, then choir, then rehearsal for something else...left the house at 7:15 and got home at 2:15. Then had to be back at church at 6:30 for a recognition event for one of the girls in youth group. It was a really event and I'm glad I was able to participate. But it made for a very long day.
I had a frustrating day at church, though. I normally don't speak up in meetings (especially Sunday School) unless I feel very strongly about something. Well, I spoke up in two separate meetings on Sunday and both times, a particular person vehemently disagreed with what I said and contributed...without allowing me to clarify myself. It was not pleasant and I was, to say the least, quite upset about it. I have noticed that there are some people in this world who don't appreciate women with strong opinions. There are more than a few at church. It left a very bad taste in my mouth.
Monday was dress rehearsal for the school play. We learned that it will definitely take more than the time allotted for us to get hair and makeup done on the entire cast....the cast is much bigger than I thought it was! Today is another dress rehearsal so we'll see how it goes.
B is still thoroughly enjoying soccer and had fun in their scrimmage game yesterday. She is also anxiously awaiting the arrival of her reading glasses (yes, she needs reading glasses) and she said that having her glasses might help her enjoy reading again. I hope so!
M is enjoying coaching season being over but now he's spending a lot of time in the car, chauffering the kids around to their activities. Welcome to my world, dear! He really doesn't enjoy being on the go so much. I do. Just another way that we're opposites.
I have some shopping to do for the school play and both girls need new shoes. They are growing SO fast right now...it's unbelievable. New clothes they received for Christmas, not even a full 3 months ago, are already too short/too small.
A dear friend of mine has been badly mistreated at work and I feel so very sad for this person and the things they have had to/are having to endure. Let me tell you this much -- the title "Department of Justice" is definitely not an appropriate name for that federal agency. I have never seen such injustice, mistreatment, and mismanagement in my life.
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