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St. Patrick’s day has always been one of my favorites, even though I am not Irish, (despite the red hair) I’m not Catholic, and I don’t drink. So why my is it one of my favorites? Well, I’ll tell you.

I love green, so any holiday where green is everywhere is not wrong in my book,  it’s also a reason to trick my kids into eating green foods they would usually not eat, and more importantly, good things usually happen to me on St. Patty’s day.

This St. Patrick’s day had not started out so good. I realized that I can’t have a big green meal and treats because it is my night to work late at the office, so everyone is all different directions. Then my son-who LOVED the color green a week ago, refused to wear green today and said he didn’t care if he got pinched, (his dad had the same response). I also started off the day with a phone call before 8am, and usually my phone does not ring until way after 9am, and you know that is usually a sign that your day will be busier than normal.

However, I received a call that my house was actually being started! They were on the job site and were digging footers as he was talking to me. Hurray! See St. Patrick’s Day never lets me down! And who cares if I can’t make a big Irish dinner tonight, we got to go to Sunday Family dinner last night for the first time in months and we had corned beef and cabbage, and much needed family hugs and chats!

What luck do you all have on St. Patty’s day?

Today the boys and I took a field trip to the doctor’s office. The doctor comes in with the laptop, but since we had been coming so long, she also has to go get the paper chart. When she comes back for the second time with the chart, she says, she was having some trouble with her arm so she couldn’t carry the chart and laptop at the same time. She then comments that his chart was also very large for a 7 year old.

At that moment, I remembered the hospital stay, the nebulizer treatments, the chest x-rays, the threat of asthma as well as cystic fibrosis, and the GI issues. The doctor said to him “you were a really sick little guy”, and she is so glad that she has not had to add many new notes on his chart. She told him she was so happy to see him so healthy and able to play the sports he loved. He had on his wrestling shirt and she asked him if he was a wrestler. He said he liked the sports he could run in more, like soccer.

I’m so glad I had that appointment today. I wish I could go back and tell my 7 year ago self, he is going to be fine. He is not going to be going to the doctor every week or month. He is going to be able to run, and play, and you don’t have to loose sleep over worrying that he will always be sick and not able to play like the other kids. He is going to be just fine, even though he may occasionally get the strep throat.

You know how cats can sense when you are allergic to them and will rub all over you and sit on you? Well I have found out that my kids are the same way. I have been having a lot of headaches lately, and I think they are mostly stress related, but migraines run in my family so I stuck either way.

Anyway today was one of those bad headache days, you know the ones that make you not talk right, make your stomach hurt, and over all just hurt. Well, my kids must have sensed this I was not feeling well when they got off the bus.

Lauren instantly started talking non stop without a breath about having a sub, they had nachos today-even though it was not on the menu and she couldn’t have them, but she still got to sit by her friend who did buy lunch anyway, and her other friend found the whole series of books that she likes in the school library, and she learned a new technique for her bracelets (ok I think you get the point).

Then Aaron starts bouncing a ball, telling me he won’t do his homework, and the best one-“mom, say cuff backward”. Great, now we have to have a talk about bad words and bad influences and not to do something just because other are. And while we are discussing this, I did not learn about “cuss” words until I was in 3rd grade, he’s in first!

Yes friends out there, kids are like cats, they can sense your weakness and exploit it to the max.

And adults must be able to sense it too, look what my mom thought was a good fashion choice for her evening out:

So I feel like I have so many things going on this week, some good, some really bad, so I thought I would share.

Let’s start with the good. It stopped snowing! I call that a good in my book because that means they will start my house in 13 days officially (weather permitting they say-snow don’t you make me hurt you gringo!)

I had Monday off so I got to spend the day with my 2 year old and I learned he can count to 13 and he does not mind running errands with mom most of the day.

My son also found another passion-wrestling. I’m not sure he is going to be as good at it as soccer or have the same talent, but he loves being able to get out his built up energy on an unsuspecting 7 year old (me on the other hand am a nervous wreck watching it all unfold).

Now the bad, my cousin passed away at the age of 27. It was hard to watch my cousin loose his brother and my uncle and aunt to loose a son. It is very hard to watch a family grieve especially when they are younger and still had a lot to do. I know that I will see him again someday and that he is not suffering, and that is how I find comfort. The good that came out of this, because it’s always best to find something positive, is that I realized that family is important and we need to spend all the time with them that we can.

The other, not so bad in comparison to the previous bad part of my week, is that the school has decided to extend the school day to make up the days. 36 minutes is probably not that long to most people, but to my son it is going to be like adding 2 hours. He is not the kind of kid that likes to sit around. He likes to be up and moving, riding the bus home and adding extra time to his day was rough, so now in order to not have him going extra bonkers after school I will need to pick him up, and with school being later, it is not going to really leave us much time to spend our office time together. I know these things do not sound like a huge deal, and they really aren’t in the long run, but they just put a little damper on my plans (and we all know I am not very good with change).

It is not even the weekend yet and I feel like it should be. Any good or bad news you all want to share?

I have to take a minute to say thank you to my son for making me a mother to a son. I am blessed to have both boys and a girl and I can say that without him showing me how to be patient and think outside the box I do not think I could be the mom I am today. I am not going to sugar coat it, being AJ’s mom has been one of the hardest things I have ever done, but when he hugs me or wants to sit close, I know he is telling me he loves me and appreciates me.

We celebrated his birthday today in grand style. We started at his favorite-Japanese, and then we went bowling, shopping at Lids for colts stuff, looking at the city from the monument, and then rocket fizz, and pizza for dinner. He cuddled with me on the couch tonight and he whispered two phrases that made me melt, “Mom, I love you” and “Mom, sometimes you make me giggle”. He is just the best, even if he did have a meltdown because his sister bowled better than him. Happy Birthday my 7 year old!

You know when you say a phrase way to much when you 2 year old goes around saying, “I told you” over and over again. You also know that you are probably not setting the best example when your 2 year old asks to put his PJ’s on at 3pm and when you ask why he says, ‘Cause we not go anywhere”. I blame the weather for that one.

Now seriously, this post is dedicated to good news. I need good news people. I do not want to focus on all the yuck blah that I have been feeling and thinking lately. It has gotten to the point that I can’t sleep because when I do finally stop for the day I am consumed by all the negative things. I need some positive. So here is the post where I ask you to let me know what is going on with you that is funny, good, or just plain happy.

I’ll start, I have the most amazing people in my life and I am amazed daily by the amount of people I can think of that I know that do not judge me or fault me for my shortcomings, but offer support and help and love. And in return I”m starting to learn to accept that and appreciate that. Ok, your turn, and go…..

I still miss my job at the hospital all the time, however this week I was reminded just how glad I am that I decided to make the change. I still haven’t figured out how to work my schedule out to where I have home office days when the kids are off school, but I’m sure I will figure that out in about 10 years. However, my job has allowed me to be able to be home when the kids get home, and more recently has even allowed me to come to the office after hours with my son.

He has been struggling big time with all the changes that have happened, and I can totally sympathize. We have had so many challenges with getting a new house, but I know that is all just so that we will appreciate our new house even more. Still, he is not dealing well, and when you know that your son needs a routine and stability and you change all that, it is your job to help him through it.

Alone time was what he needed. He came with me to the office after hours yesterday and it was amazing. He talked and talked, and for those of you that know him that is a miracle in itself. He helped me stuff folders, he investigated the snack situation in the kitchen, and learned where the soda machine is. It was just what he (and I) needed. He can’t wait to go back again and I can’t wait for the time with him. He is so funny and considerate.

I would never have thought a trip to work would be so good for us. I just feel so bad that I did not think of it sooner, and I have slacked off on making time for each of the kids individually. Dylan gets time with me all the time, but it’s hard to remember that even when they get older you still need to take time with each of them, and they wont’ ask.

I just wish I had taken a picture, maybe next time.

I have to let you in on a little secret-parenting is HARD. It is probably the single hardest thing I have ever done, and I have a Master’s Degree and have seen the eye of a tornado from the inside.

I am not complaining, I love those kids more than life itself, especially when your 2 year old tells you that you are his favorite person and pulls your head close to his. I also love those rare moments that your 6 year old wants to cuddle and be close. And when your newly 10 year old connects with you for a brief moment and follows directions.

However, there are days, weeks, and who am I kidding months where I don’t feel enough. I question every decision, have sleepless nights researching techniques and strategies to do better. I am constantly thinking about them, switching jobs so that I can still support them and their growing financial needs as well as have the time to be their for them and be home to do homework or with them when they are sick, and at the same time make sure I have time for the 2 year old that still wants me around all the time.

Like I said people, this is HARD, it is not for the faint of heart, however I have decided that as long as they do not ever run out of chocolate or pizza I just may get through the next 20 or so years. What do you all do when you have HARD days?

I love the baby stage, it is the best, they cuddle they smile, they have yet to learn how to defy you or talk back. I have kind of been missing the baby stage. Just so you know when this happens to you-make sure you surround yourself with friends that have cute cuddly babies and steal their baby for a little while. I just did this yesterday-thank you cute baby E for the snuggle time!

But then, there is the toddler stage. My Dylan is the best. He still cuddles me and he hugs me and he talks. He uses those words to say things like, I love you mama, and You my baby mama. He laughs and tell jokes and he can count and knows his colors. He can tell me what he feels and he has so much love and compassion. He knows when I’m not having such a great day and he will stay right by my side. He still thinks that booboo can be fixed with a kiss, and when you tell him your head hurts, he kisses your head and asks, “all better mama?”.

Lately, the best thing I can think of about Dylan is how he reminds me of my dad. As I was looking through pictures I noticed just how often he does my dad’s signature move. Daily I am thankful that I have him as a gift, I feel just for me and just to help me through my rough days. I love my time with him and each time he asks me if he can go to school I cringe just a little that my time with him is fading fast. I love you Dill.

So yesterday it was back to business as usual for the Gary house. No snow storms or other calamities to stop the hustle and bustle. It was back to getting up early, packing lunches, signing reading logs, and of course work, laundry errands and such.

My day did not start out so well, I had lots to do for work-including another trip to the store to make exchanges, but no complaints-it was not snowing and relatively warm out. So when I step out of my room in order to wake up the second child I tripped and fell and of course hurt my lower back. Then we couldn’t find my son’s shoe and therefore missed the bus. I had to take him to school which made me late for work. I was feeling irritated and already behind for the day. I was not liking getting back in the groove at all, I wanted the kids home even though it had made my normal routine very difficult. Then as I was pulling up to let AJ out of the car I hear this, ” I miss you AJ, come back”.

It was the cutest thing ever and after we pulled away my 2 year old kept insisting we go get him. I reassured him that I would let him come with me to get the kids from the bus later that day and told him he would still have a good day even if AJ was not with him. He finally said ok and we went on with the day. At that moment, I realized I was not the only one that was not happy to be back in the groove. As promised he got to go with me to the bus stop, and something that I have never experienced yet happened-I saw that my kids actually missed each other!

So fellow sNOw Schoolers, how did you adjust to getting back in the groove?