Comfortable Silence

There is nothing in the world like being comfortable with those around you... You know those (be they few and far between) that you are comfortable talking about anything with and just as comfortable sitting in the same room and saying nothing. Being able to be comfortable saying nothing is a blessing. That signifies that you have reached a level of trust that in my opinion is rare. I'm so grateful for all of the conversation about ALL those pressing topics and even more grateful for the comfortable silence.

Cement

The longer I live the more I realize that the world gets less and less "black and white"... I am sure that it is the world adopting more gray and not me coming to terms with the fact that things just aren't as concrete as I use to think. Of course there is still the option (regardless of how unlikely) that I have changed my point of view ;)

Okay, so maybe through all of lifes trials I have had to come to the understanding that most things are not set in cement. That everyone brings their own life experiences and interpretations with them. Maybe having special kids (yes, I believe all kids are special) has taught me to look at life a little differenly.

I am trying to remember this each day... and for the days that the elephant forgets to visit, there is always tomorrow!!

The Diet Coke Fairy

Yesterday was a less then happy day. It was one of those days when life hits and reveals that the light you finally see at the end of the tunnel REALLY is a train...a really really really BIG train and no matter what you do.. no matter how hard you try it is going to hit you!

At first you just want to climb under the nearest rock and pretend for awhile that you don't exist. I tend to be like that anyway...not too outgoing and make a pretty good hermit :)

So, there I was trying to find a big rock and the Diet Coke Fairy shows up at my house!! Can I tell you how nice it is to have friends that take good care of you even when you are feeling at your worst?

It's another day and I'm not sure the train is any smaller.... BUT .... I am coping a little better... one day at a time.

Catching Up

Went to lunch today with a friend I haven't seen for forever.... okay, more like 5 or 6 yrs. Those that know very much about me know that I am not at my best in social situations.... so I must admit that I was a little nervous... I mean, after the "how have you been?" and the "do you see anybody from school?" will there be anything left to say? I am HAPPY to report that I had a good time and didn't feel awkward. After a minute or two it was just like old times...hanging out, going for a drive, watching Killer Klowns From Outer Space :) ... hoping that she had fun too.

The BEST

I only have a quick minute.. but I wanted to jot this down before I forgot what he said...

Just now Tom came to me and said, "Mom, you're the best mom ever. Do you know how I know you're the best mom? Because you are kind and take care of us and are firm." Brooke pipes in and says, "What does firm mean?" Tom responded with, "It means that she is kinda strict and makes us follow the rules." So, using this mom moment, I asked, "Why do you think I am firm?" Without skipping a beat Tom responded, "Because you love us and want us to be happy." Brooke added, "And you want us to be safe." :) These are the moments that I stop wondering (if only for a second) if I am doing an okay job... too bad that Nicole missed this exchange, especially since I think she has really been feeling 'one against the world' lately.

Say It Again

DISCOMBOBULATED What a great word!! My great friend, confidant, and fellow mischief maker first introduced me to the wonderful word. It has since become our word to fall back on when all is feeling out of sorts...unfortunately that seems to be more often then not.

DISCOMBOBULATED...even the word itself sounds messy and confused.

So, on top of all I had to do, I have now added being on the school's Community Council. It's not a bad thing... I'm just hoping that I can do some good. I am not happy with just nodding my head and going with the flow. I want to know and understand everything and then do what I can to help improve things.

Anyway, wish me luck!

R.I.P. Erick

So today the kids found Erick not moving at the bottom of his fish bowl... initially this wasn't too alarming because he spends much of his time not moving a whole lot...but upon closer inspection we discovered that poor Erick had passed into fish heaven. It hit Tom the hardest, as Erick was his pet. :( Not a good way to end the day.

**note** the above pic. is not an actual picture of Erick, but of another fish doing a very good impersonation of him.

From Whirlpools To Dust Devils

So my little man has been sick all weekend. He is DIZZY and then when he gets up the nausea seems to get the best of him. It's an awful feeling when your kids are sick. Not being able to make them better has to be one of the most trying things about being a parent!

I am not sure what is making him sick.. it could just be whatever gomboo is going around, or it could be from the new medication he was put on for. I called the pharmacist and was told that the likelihood of it being a reaction was unlikely but that doesn't mean a whole lot to me because he has already had an "unlikely" reaction to this new medications cousin......maybe the NSAIDS have it out for him ;)

He is, however, feeling a little better (crossing fingers and toes)... yesterday he told me that his "brain feels like a whirlpool." Today, he says that his "brain feels like a dust devil." Sounds hopeful to me!!

The only good thing I can think of about having the kids get sick, is I LOVE watching the other two rally around and dote on whomever is not feeling well. It gives me hope that they may eventually fight less and love each other more.

My Family

My Family
I am a thirty-something wife and mom to three great kids. My hubby works very hard (2 jobs) so that I can stay home and take care of the kids. How lucky I am to be able to stay home and do that. Besides working 2 jobs my hubby is going to school to get his Bachelors in Business Management. He is really busy and we don't get to see a lot of him.....but.....it will be worth it once he graduates!!

I have a son that is 10 and in the 4th grade. He is a happy, helpful little (okay not so little) guy. He has many struggles in life. He is diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Anxiety Disorder and Juvenille Rheumatoid Arthritis, just to name a few. I am really proud of him. Despite all of his struggles he tries his best every day and is a very smart boy. I think he was only three when he taught us what an ungulate was. Who knew? Tom loves everything science, history, geography and of course, Star Wars.

I have a daughter that is 8 and in 3rd grade. What a smart girl she is. She has always been one of those kinds of people that sits back and observes everything...just taking it in and then figuring out how it works. She was only 13 months old when she figured out how to undo the cupboard locks!! She is a wonderful reader and loves anything art. She would spend the entire day-every day-just drawing if life (and mom) would allow it! Nicole is a bright, sensitive, beautiful girl.

My baby, who isn't a baby anymore, but, I'm afraid, will be saddled with that horrible designation for the remainder of her days, is 6. She started 1st grade this year and is equally as bright as her older siblings. She is a happy, happy girl who seems to even us all out. She is the peacemaker. She also has a great sense of humor and keeps us laughing. The first day of school when I was teasing the kids that they should stay home because I would be lonely without them, she matter of factly informed me that Erick would keep my company... Now Erick is my sons Beta fish!! Brooke loves animals, Sponge Bob, drawing with her sister and playing XBOX with her brother.

Lorraine :)