Saturday, July 4, 2009

Fireworks on the 4th!

Henry has an ear infection and isn’t sleeping, Neil has fluid on his ears, Parker has a cough that sounds consumptive, I found a nail in the front tire of the van and Parker discovered the windshield has a big crack. To top it all off the air conditioning literally had a meltdown. We had smelled smoke outside the nursery window Friday night and called the fire department; they insisted it was just someone burning leaves and left. Our heating and air guy came out yesterday afternoon to figure out why the house was 90 degrees and climbing and immediately located the source of the smoke smell the fireman said they had detected as soon as they pulled into the neighborhood; the inside of the compressor was charred black. Irene is getting a migraine and I'm grumpy as hell.

We thank God, though, for all we have and the knowledge that none of this ultimately defines us. Really, we were able to send Irene and the boys to a motel last night for a little respite, friends have given us a house at the beach for a week (with air conditioning!), we have an awesome HVAC guy who came out on the 4th and who can replace the system while we're gone, we can all reasonably expect to regain our health, we love each other and have friends and family who love us. We know that in fact, "all will be well."

But holy cow what a 4th of July!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Zippity Do Dah

My oh my oh what a couple of weeks! My 27th high school reunion in Tunica, Mississippi, doctors appointments and a nasty Summer virus with fever and coughing that has gone through the family in this order over the past two weeks: Dad, JP , Henry, Neil, Mom. We're hoping we are all well before a trip to Gulf Shores on Monday the 6th.

The reunion was fabulous. About half of our class of 30 showed up. Henry and Neil were wonderful escorts (Dad and Parker staying home to recuperate from the D.C. trip) and by FAR the youngest children there. Good planning, I'll have to say to be such an old mother with such young children. Most of my classmates at least have one or more children in college and seemed to feel no burden in helping with Henry and Neil. So good for me to go and do this.

On Tuesday of this week I took all three boys with me to Birmingham for Neil's eye check up. I was a bit anxious about this as I always am when I take Neil to a doctor. On the way up, I was just trying to imagine how I was going to get him to keep a pair of spectacles on should he need them. I was thinking, okay, he has worn O2, surely he can do this, especially if it helps. I had even gone in the optical shop to look at the possibilities. The doctor did the exam with just about zero comment as he looked and I'm bracing myself for the worst. He finishes and says, "Well, he doesn't need glasses, he's a little farsighted which is normal at this age, come back in a year." We stopped by the Galleria for a celebratory ride on the merry-go-round. I'd post a nice picture of that but all I had for a camera was my cell phone.

On Wednesday Henry had his teeth cleaned for the first time and it went more smoothly than I ever could have dreamed. He jumped right into the chair, all smiles, and did everything he was asked. No cavities. We came home and I think he brushed his teeth about five times before bedtime with his new Sponge Bob toothpaste.

Parker has renewed his interest in playing the guitar this Summer and I can't tell you how wonderful it is to hear strumming coming from his room. When I returned from Tunica, he just about had Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" down pat. Maybe by the end of the Summer he'll have the harmonica added!

We made it by the Canterbury Farmer's Market this afternoon. I just love this every Thursday afternoon. Not sure if I get more excited about the wonderful iced coffee or the great fresh produce!

Looking forward to a quiet 4th with high hopes that everyone will be well by Monday morning.