Today...

is better than yesterday.

Yesterday, Christina was home sick because she had a fever on Sunday.  She played nicely with Gabriel all morning while I made lunch for the Legionnarie of Christ priests here in town (which was delivered today). 

All was going merrily until 2:30, when the school called.  Rebecca was hanging out in the nurse's office, complaining of a headache, and a low-grade fever of 99.6. 

I ran to my neighbor's house to see if anyone could watch the two little ones sound asleep in their beds while I ran to the school to get Rebecca.  No such luck.  So I had to scoop Christina and Gabriel right outta bed and drive to the school.  Luckily, the nurse brought Rebecca right to the van for me...which was great, since Gabriel had no bottoms on, and neither of them had shoes. 

I still had a cake to make for the priests.  So I got that in the oven, finished the chili and put it in the crock pot, and the bread was already done and out of the bread machine.  I figured I had a handle on things.

Pretty soon though, my rosy day turned sour, and then took a nosedive straight into terrible.  Gabriel has the bladder control down pat, but not the bowel part.  He had fiber in his dinner the previous night, and I am sure that is why he had 8 poopie accidents all over the house...2 of them not on tile...but on carpet.  Sigh...

The kids starting fighting, and really didn't stop until bedtime.  They argued over every little thing...I tried to just ignore it...realizing that 2 cranky, sick little girls were grating on all of our nerves.  At one point, peace was resorted for a while when Rebecca and Christina got out markers and coloring books...but Christina got a hold of a permanent blue marker and colored ON MY LAPTOP.  The aforesaid blue marker had been taken away 2x that day already...so the previously mentioned child got a spanking.  Yes sir, she did.  After than, and a dreadful scolding, the marker thankfully came off with a generous application of nail polish remover. 

I decided the kids needed a chore to do...and I needed a break from them.  So I send them upstairs to clean up the gameroom.  Rebecca was putting the kiddie table and chairs together, pulled the cord on the LCD projector from its perch on a shelf above the table, and it came crashing down on her hand.  Ouch.  Of course, she screamed bloody murder, which scared poor Gabriel half to death, so he started screaming too.  I was trying to nurse one crying child, hold a toddler, and get dinner on the table.  Dinner had to wait, even though it was already done...the crockpot is great at waiting. 

My dear hubby walks in just as we are finally sitting down to eat, at the rather late hour of 6:45.  The first thing he asks if if the LCD projector still works.  I tried to remember that it's an expensive piece of equipment, and we need it for our NFP class Friday night, so of course that is the first thing he would say.  And I know I didn't have to get up from the table and go and check it...but I did.  I admit it...I didn't walk, I stormed up the stairs...and yes...it still worked.

I didn't even feel like eating dinner....I just bawled instead, my chili got cold...Rebecca tried to cheer me up, but it was too late...I'd already lost it...after trying so hard not to all day. 

Okay...deep breath...in...out...again.

I pulled myself together, ate dinner, hugged my kiddos, told Rebecca thank you for trying to make me smile, kissed my hubby, cleaned up the kitchen, swept the floor, helped David get the kids to bed, made lunches for the next day, sorted a mountain of laundry, said my prayers, and collapsed into bed.

Both the girls got up at 3:30 AM with fevers...so they were both home today.  All has been well, minimal fighting...both took naps (Rebecca had quiet time), Gabriel took a nap, and Mommy got a nap too. 

Bad days are just that...bad.  Yesterday was exceptionally bad. 

But I have to remind myself...after a REALLY bad day, the next day is always better.  And the sun always come out...it did today.  And God still loves me...even after losing my temper big time yesterday. 

Thank you Lord, for the better days. 

Gem of the Week

Lately I've been trying to repair my relationship with a couple of people.  It's not easy reaching out...but I know God wants me to try.  I'm pretty certain he was sending me a sign when I saw this on a marquee earlier this week. 

Instead of showing someone the gate, try mending the fence first.

~ Anonymous ~

Last One Outta Diapers

It's official.

Our last kid is out of diapers.

We started potty training Gabriel on Friday.  At first, he wouldn't put the underwear on, and wanted to put on a diaper.  But after some coaxing, he put on a pair of Cookie Monster underpants.  I took Gabriel to Walmart earlier this week to pick out his underwear. He couldn't understand why he couldn't have the Dora or Blue's Clues panties (very pink and girly). I thought about it...but just couldn't go there. I told David later on, and he said he wouldn't have wanted to buy them either. I am always bummed when I buy clothes for Gabriel, because there's FAR more variety and MUCH cuter clothes for girls. Must it come down to the underwear too? Good grief.

Gabriel's doing pretty good, better than I expected.  He had only one accident the first day...but we'll give him lots of juice, on Saturday, so I anticipate more, but that's okay. 

He is a little nervous about going potty...but man, he sure can hold it.  That's good for him, but it makes Mom wonder.  I mean, you know the kid's got to go when he stays dry through his nap, and is still dry at 7:30 PM!  Thankfully, David was able to sit with him Friday night and he finally went.   

Regardless, Gabriel likes his Disney character and Sesame Street underwear.  Personally, I think he looks pretty cute...and it fits him.  (Poor Joshua was so skinny when he was getting potty trained...his underwear barely stayed up).  Doesn't he look proud of himself?

Update: Gabriel had plenty more accidents later in the weekend...but it's Sunday now, and he's only had one today...hooray!

Your Grace is Enough

Over the past 2 weeks, I've had a couple people tell me (and no, my hubby wasn't one of them) that I could handle certain situations better.  I am very thankful these people were kind enough to point out the error of my ways...although I will say it was painful to hear.  But I figure it's better to hear it from friends first, rather than God hitting me over the head with a 2x4...which REALLY hurts. 

Whenever I hear this song on the radio, I turn it up...way up.  When I mess up, I really get mad at myself, and I have to be careful, because I know I let my pride get the best of me.  I feel like I just am never going to be good enough as a wife and mother.  But this song...reminds me that God truly loves me, despite my faults and failings.  And He always gives me the grace and strength to get up and try again.   

Sweet Angel Boy

I know I shouldn't be sad...

It's just Mother's Day Out, and he's only gone 4 hours twice a week. 

But my angel boy was gone today, and I missed him somethin' fierce.
 

I mean, how did he go from this...

to this...

to this...

to this big boy? 

He went right into the classroom, and started playing...but paused long enough to kiss me goodbye. 

Thank God I had to go straight to FAMILIA training.  If I'd gone home to my quiet, empty house, I know I would have bawled. 

David called me right after I dropped him off and said, "How are you honey?"

I said, "I was fine until you called..." and then I cried. 

"Ah, sweetheart, he's fine, don't worry," said David. 

I replied, "He's my last one...I am entitled to some tears, and you can't tell me otherwise."

But I really was okay after a few minutes.  I  finished my training, and then went back to the preschool to see my angel boy. 

Gabriel was coming back from the playground when I picked him up.  He spotted me down the hall, and took off running.  I scooped him right up, and man...I was so happy to see him. 

I hope he keeps running for me just a little bit longer. 

The Spirit of Aggieland

Some may boast of prowess bold

Of the school they think so grand

But there's a spirit can ne'er be told

It's the Spirit of Aggieland.

We are the Aggies - the Aggies are we

True to each other as Aggies can be

We've got to FIGHT boys

We've got to fight!

We've got to fight for Maroon and White

After they've boosted all the rest

They will come and join the best

For we are the Aggies - the Aggies are we

We're from Texas A.M.C.

T-E-X-A-S A-G-G-I-E

 Fight! Fight! Fight-fight-fight!

 Fight! Maroon! White-White-White!

A-G-G-I-E

Texas! Texas! A-M-C!

Gig 'em, Aggies, 1-2-3

Farmers fight! Farmers fight!
Fight! Fight!

Farmers, farmers fight!

A! Whoop!

Sick Days

I've realized after 4 kids and 11 years of marriage that moms really can't get sick.  Well okay, they can get sick.  But they really don't get a day off.  I know it's because I'm a recovering perfectionist/neat freak/have to get things done kind of person.  And when I'm sick...my house just goes to pot...and it drives me neatly to the brink of insanity...not that being sick doesn't do that already.

(But enough of that.  I shouldn't even be rambling, because I'm not sick, thank goodness.  But I'll be sure to link y'all back to this post in case I ever am.)

My little angel boy however, has been sick since Friday.  He woke up with a fever, and he's had one on and off for 5 days now.  It's rare any of our kids get a fever for more than 2 days.  Last night, David and I debated whether or not to take him to the pediatrician, and we decided not to.  We're pretty sure Gabriel's got a virus of some sort, since he doesn't have a sore throat, and his fever (which hovers around 102 degrees) does come down when we give him tylenol or advil.  He is sleeping great (even through the night except for Sunday night), and is drinking plenty of fluids.  I'm guessing the pediatrician wouldn't tell me anything I don't already know. 

Gabriel's logged in a TON of cuddling time since Friday...you can bet he's all for it.  Today, he laid on my chest, and almost fell asleep, but wouldn't let me put him down for an early nap.  Spoiled?  You betcha.  And is Momma enjoying this precious time with her little guy?  Absolutely. 

So, the house is in disarray...the dishwasher needs to be emptied, and the laundry I did yesterday is still in the basket, waiting to be folded.  The trash needs to be taken out, the dust bunnies in the foyer are getting rather large, and I can't even look at the kitchen floor.  I managed to make a fabric-covered bulletin board for Gabriel's room yesterday while he took a 3.5 hour nap, but that's been the extend of my productivity.  Oh well.  I probably should have cleaned house, but needed something fun to do. 

Hopefully he's getting over the hump.  He ate lunch for the first time in 3 days, and let me take his picture today...anything to get a smile out of him, poor baby.  (Yes, he's still my baby.)  Even the girls are saying, "Poor baby, bless his heart" when they come home from school and see he's still sick. 

He is suppposed to start MDO tomorrow, but he'll have to stay home.  Which is fine by me.  We'll just snuggle on the couch with our blankie, 2 stuffed dogs, his sippy cup of juice, a stack of books, and several episodes of Dora the Explorer. 

Thank goodness for the sick days.