Open House

When I was a kid our door was always open to our friends. I just always remember my mom being very welcoming to who ever wanted to come over. I remember her giving us money to roller skate down to Hansen's Dairy to get pizzas on a summer night.

I remember kids coming in and out. I don't ever remember my mom saying no about having kids over. I know my mom questions my memories from childhood (I question my memories from childhood), but that I remember as clear as it was yesterday. And it is a great memory. One of the things I want to imitate myself, as a mom.

Of course, we lived in a great neighborhood, with lots of kids of all ages. Back in the day when you would play outside until the streetlights came on. Sometimes even later in the summer.

In our neighborhood now, kids are few and far between. At least my kids' age. There are the few who go to after school care behind the house. And, of course, our family friends who live about a block away. But that is pretty much it.

I would like to think, for the most part, I am very open to having kids over. The majority of the time the parents are like "Are you sure it is OK?" First and foremost, it is a distraction for my kids. But, secondly, I would like for my kids to have the same memory as me, of us having an open house for their friends.

Something that I would like to encourage well into their teen years . . .

Our Story Continues

Which I know is no better or worse than anyone else's story. And really, in the big scheme of things, it could be a lot worse ;) But, it is our story and right now it vacillates between amusing and just a tad bit frustrating. Life is definitely messy. Literally and physically ;)

Little Mama and I have been up since 3:30AM. She finally succumbed to the nasty virus. Now, I will admit, I was/am very nervous about the younger ones getting it. It is brutal. Hubby can't ever remember feeling as poorly as he did. I would tend to agree.

But, at 3:30AM LM was a champ. She woke me and said she had to throw up. We went together and she did great. I rubbed her back and talked with her, helping her to relax. She and I laid on the couch together and about an hour later did it again. And that has been it. So far.

I have squirreled her away in our bedroom with a DVD player and all her blankets and stuffed animals. I am a yell away. My goal today is to keep Boop and EG as far away from her as possible. But I fear the damage has been done. We did not take it seriously enough when NG first had it. (In all honesty, we thought it was just exhaustion, which she is prone to.)

Because of our latest phase of sickness, NG is not able to go to horse camp. I could have gotten her there this AM but had no way of picking her up this afternoon. (And I wouldn't have been able to get her there tomorrow or Thurs.) Plus, I was concerned that if she needed to be picked up during the day, I would not be able to go get her. Puking kids and cars just don't go well together in my book.

She seemed disappointed, like she had made up her mind to go. I told her we would look into a different week or talk about getting some lessons over the rest of the summer. Like I said, she seemed visually disappointed but we talked it out and all seems good for the moment.

I know we are not the only family on the planet who is suffering through days of horrible illness. And I am truly thankful that NG, daddy, EG, Boop and I are healthy. But, after 5 full days of this, it has become a huge part of "our story". And I am definitely ready for a newer, healthier chapter . . .

New Development

So, this morning Nature Girl had horse camp. She hasn't been feeling well so we made a big deal about her feeling up to going. What she should do if started to feel puny. We asked numerous times if she felt OK. Of course, her answer was always "yes, I feel fine".

She got a little bit of a late start and didn't eat much breakfast. I was hesitant about her going but didn't want to disappoint her. She and her daddy left the house a little bit behind schedule. When she got to the stable, she went running off and daddy chatted with the one of the owners who he knows through work. The stable is owned by our former babysitter so that helped me in my decision to let her go.

About 20 after 8, my cell phone rang and it was daddy bringing Nature Girl home. Apparently she wasn't feeling well and didn't want to stay. So not like Nature Girl at all. She is all about going and doing. Especially by herself.

I truly feel part of her wanting to come home was that she didn't feel well. But, after further conversation with her, I found out that she was just a little bit uncomfortable because the few girls she remembered from last year didn't remember her. And one girl was a little "unkind". I use quotes because she really wasn't unkind but I guess just wasn't overly friendly and NG was a little confused, I guess, about that. It made her feel uncomfortable. I think it is a feeling she just isn't use to. NG makes friends where ever she goes. And, to her, everyone is her best friend. Having friends just comes naturally, and until now, easy for her.

I think these situations are things that parents hate to have to deal with. At least I do. I remember only to clearly, as a young girl, being odd man out. I hated gym class and lunch hour. I explained to NG that I changed schools a lot growing up and I remember, sometimes, how difficult it was making friends. (It was one of the reason, during VBS, that I made my girls introduce themselves to girls who they didn't recognize.)

I explained that I think fear and being uncomfortable is normal. It is part of being human. What I hoped to get across to her was that fear that keeps you from doing something you really want to do isn't a good way to live life. I wanted her to understand that with prayer and faith and encouragement she could go tomorrow and give it another try.

I don't think I want to push hard for my kids to do things that make them uncomfortable. I think I want them to make that choice on their own. To develop skills and thought processes and faith that she can use, on her own, in all kinds of situations. I won't always be there for every uncomfortable, unkind, scary situation. But, I think, if I take the time now, to talk about them with all my kids, share with them some of my experiences, apply God's word and encourage prayer, there can be some lasting, helpful tools to deal with many of life's experiences.

At least that is my thought process today . . .

Silent Sunday

I Am

sick. What Nature Girl had/has. Not fun. Was suppose to drive my nephew somewhere so he could travel on. Hubby had to pick up the slack. Feel bad for hubby. I have been useless. Praying no one else gets it. Grandma comes next week . . .

The Missing Link

has been with us for about a week now. It is my nephew, whom the kids absolutely adore! He came to visit us for a little and will be on his way tomorrow morning.

We call him the missing link because we have a dining room table that seats six and when we would pray around the table, holding hands at dinnertime, there was always an open spot. When my nephew came to stay with us last summer Boop proudly proclaimed "No more missing link!"

We have enjoyed him being around. He is such a big help to me. I can go to the grocery store with just one kid. He even gave a bath to the little ones the other night when I was on an important phone call. He plays catch and basketball with Boop and Apples to Apples with all the kids. He is always wrestling, tickling, entertaining them. At times I tell the kids to just give him a break. His response, with a smile, is always "it's OK" or "they're fine".

He has cleaned the porch, helped with organizing storage and a few other odd jobs. He has gone to tumbling and the VBS Parent's Night. It has given hubby someone to talk to about fishing, cars, sports and all sorts of other guy stuff. I know the kids will miss him. I think we will too . . .

No Post Today

Up LATE last night watching CWS. VBS this AM, dentist appointments, screaming baby not wanting to take much needed nap, puking oldest child, cleaning storage, need to make dinner and back at church for VBS Family Night. Maybe tomorrow . . .