We are back in our routines now and last week’s vacation seems like a distant memory. The one really nice thing about this week is seeing the trees change their colors. It seems like our trees are normally more colorful by now but that may due to all the dry weather. Anyway, all the green is being replaced with yellows, oranges and reds.
DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT. One morning Vicki walked into the kitchen. She found Ben and Nate at the table eating their breakfast. Nate looked really sad. His bottom lip was stuck way out. He was struggling to keep his composure. Vicki asked what was wrong. “It not my birthday,” was his reply. He and Ben had been arguing about this before Vicki came in the room and since he was so distressed Vicki asked, “Would you like to pretend it’s your birthday?” When Nate failed to answer Vicki looked at Ben and shrugged her shoulders. Ben returned the shrug and offered, “I guess he just likes cake!”
LIFE WITH A TWO YEAR OLD. For those of you who have lived through a two year old child you know there are days when you just want to pull your hair out. This was the case Friday morning when Vicki came out of the shower and found permanent black marker scribbled ALL OVER the bathroom door. After trying a multitude of products that failed miserably, Vicki accepted the fact that sanding an painting was in her future. Fortunately, a trip to Wal-Mart found “OOPS!” . . . this with a lots of elbow grease removed most of his artwork.
It seems like Nate has been on a “Search and Destroy” mission here lately. Maybe I just don’t remember it being as intense with Jenna and Ben but I’d almost be willing to bet that Nate has more of a desire to get into stuff than they did. The other day I caught him in the “catch all” drawer in the kitchen fishing out a screw driver. He had a look of purpose as he was walking away from the drawer and sure was mad when I took the tool away from him.
The pantry is also a battleground. I’m sure Nate thinks he is just being considerate by not bothering us when he wants something to eat. Our self-sufficient little boy solves the problem of unattainable foods by dragging a chair into the pantry to assist him in his quest. This has happened a few times and we are trying to break this habit. Tonight I heard him rustling around in there and said, “I hear a large rat in the pantry!” He came out, pointed at himself and proudly exclaimed, “That’s me!!!”
This morning he found a cassette tape and had pulled several feet of tape out of the cassette. I have warned him about this before. This time I took him to his room and warned his back side. After I was finished dealing with Nate I overhead Ben say to Jenna (they were in another room), “Yeah, I knew he’d get a spanking for that one.”
A VISIT WITH COUSINS. Uncle Paul’s birthday was Monday (he’s 93) and Jackie’s birthday is tomorrow. When we went to visit Uncle Paul on Monday Jackie was there and told us all his grandkids would be over to visit on Sunday. This afternoon I took Jenna and Ben to Uncle Paul’s house to play with their cousins. Judging by all the whooping and hollering I’d say they had a great time together. Ben is always glad to be with any group of boys but it just works out that Jenna is the only girl a lot of times. This is the same boat her cousin Bonnie is in as she is Uncle Paul’s only great granddaughter. They have really hit it off well with each other.
GROSS BUT CUTE. Nate has a mild case of diarrhea. Of course changing his pull up diaper is a painful experience. Early on when his skin was mildly irritated I got a good laugh because he was raising his head and attempting to blow on himself for relief from the sting. As his condition progressed he stuck to screaming in pain. What made our hearts melt was his bedtime prayer last night. Usually his prayer is simply a roll call of family and stuffed animals (and he might thank God for the food even though we aren’t at the table). Last night he told God how much he hurt went he “goes potty” and asked to be feeling better. He is doing much better today.
A PRAYER REQUEST. Mom’s knee replacement surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. Unless we hear differently we are to be at NorthCrest Hospital by 6:00 am. Please keep her in your prayers.
Joe
An Update on Mom
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
I have just gotten home from the hospital and am about to leave for Aunt Mar’s. The doctor said Mom did very well in her surgery. She had a typical knee replacement plus he inserted a piece inside the bottom of her femur (the place where the marrow would be is hollow in adults) to strengthen the bone to help prevent a potential fracture. He also shaved the knee cap to a thickness of 12 mm and added “cement” to strengthen it as well. They will get her on her feet tomorrow.
Mom is doing well but is still pretty drugged up. She is just glad the surgery is over.
Vicki or I will be staying with Aunt Mar at night until things get back to normal or we feel they will get along fine.
Joe
