Busy-ness

Feeling the pangs of stress, I recently evaluated all the activities that I do on a weekly basis. I took a long look at my busy-ness and realized that I was blocking out invaluable time that could be reinvested elsewhere due to plain 'ol busy-ness. Now, there was nothing I was involved in that was bad. I've once heard someone wise say that the devil works by giving us too many good things to do. I can echo that train of thought...I was doing everything - mediocrally, not finding the right balance of it all and feeling big stress in the in-betweens. Things I 'wanted' to do were shuffled to the back burner. Things I 'needed' to do were often left undone or hurried through. I don't want to live that way. Something had to go. Since I only do 'good' things, something 'good' had to go. I decided to give something up that was already a stressor for me...praise team at church. Kind of stunk, too, because I love being involved in the worship process.

I know that God has used me, is using me, and will use me more in the future to further His Kingdom. I could use this space to beat myself up over having to say no to a ministry I love, or I can just start preparing myself to have more time to invest into my family and my personal development. I am also excited to do the other things I'm already involved in better.

A Mother's Right

To brag, that is. Have to do it. Proud of the little guy...

Brandon went to Braylon's end of the year parent/teacher conference this week. I missed out because I had to testify in court that day. Anyway, Braylon's teacher said that he's done very well overall this year. The part that I'm the proudest about is that the teacher explained that in kindergarten the goal is to end the year being a B level reader, on an A-Z scale, I would guess. She said several students don't make it past A level, but that Braylon is currently assessed at level M, which is considerably ahead for his class. (Don't know what grade level M is typical for...)

(Sniff, sniff) Proud of my boy...

What A Week

I think I just experienced one of the busiest weeks in my adult life. Let me tally it up for you,in no particular order:

7 flights
1 rental car
3 different hotel stays
5 Texas cities other than my hometown
1 funeral
1 amusement park
1 stint in prison
4 killer whales
3 days of training
1 movie
2 large novels (700 pages +)
4 fun kiddos
1 tired momma

As you can plainly see, it would take far too long to give you a running story of what I actually did this past week. Ohhh boy! I just took 'Busy' to a different level. GLAD to be home!

Goodbye Memaw

Lillian Lovelace Walters Davis November 1, 1909 - May 15, 2009

(To put it in perspective for you, my Memaw was nearly 3 years old when Titanic sank.)

Goodbye Memaw...We love you! Will will always have fond memories of eating your hushpuppies, swinging on the old tire swing, feeding the horses, walking to the old country store and having you braid my hair! Not to mention your contagious laugh, I'll miss that the most.

Happy Birthday to Me

Today was my birthday. It's really not necessary to say which birthday, but I'll just say I'm officially comfortably in my 30s now. I spent the day at work, although I took it easy after a hard week already. The boys bought me a card and flowers and my in-laws took us to dinner at the Outback (yummy on the barbie!). Blaine was charming our waitress big time, the sweetie. Now it's evening and I'm ready to roll up into bed, watch Walker Texas Ranger with Brandon and READ more on my book...Ahhh...A good evening in store...

Tidbits

Here are a few cute ones:

1) Next week I am going to an immersion training where I 'immerse' myself into prison life. It's at one of the prison units in Huntsville and I told Braylon that I would be going to prison for a few days for a school. Last night in his prayer Braylon said, "And please let my mom have fun when she goes to jail." Had to crack a smile at that one. It made me wonder if God had ever heard that exact request.

2) This a.m. on the way to school we had the opportunity to learn what the word 'ream' means. I told them it means to hurt someone. Eager to use his new word, Blaine said: "Yeah, it's like when the soldiers told Jesus, 'I'm going to ream you!'" Ugh...yeah, Blaine. Like that.

3) Tonight at prayer time Blaine and I were praying. When it was my turn to go, I couldn't help but to notice that something kept bumping into my lip as I prayed. I wondered why he kept poking me. So as I continued, I took a peek to find that Blaine had a toy microphone to my mouth as I prayed. Guess he's still working out the whole 'God can hear you at any volume' thing in his head.

All About My Mom

At the Mother's Day Tea, Braylon gave me a book he 'wrote' about me. Some of the things are dead on, some are not far off. Since I don't have a scanner I'll transpose here: (Words in all caps are what he wrote.)

My MOM likes to eat NOTLES (noodles).
She hates to eat CANDY because ITS BAD FOR HER.
Her favorite dessert is CHOCLIT (chocolate).
Her favorite thing to do is READ. (Amen, brother!)
The best thing she does is WATCH ME.
I help her at home by MAKING HER FEEL BETTER. (It must be said I've been sick this week. Otherwise this makes it sound like I have some long-term emotional problem.)
When my MOM PLAYS it really makes me HAPPY.
The funniest thing my MOM ever did was LAUGH A FUNNY LAUGH.
I know my MOM loves me very much because she KISSES ME.

He is so precious to me, that Braylon. And he does know me pretty well...

Super Mom!

Just in time for Mother's Day, too. Here's the run down of my day. Keep in mind that 100% of this occurred before lunch.

1) Got the kids ready for school & delivered to their respective places of education.
2) Took Braylon to a book fair and spoiled him a little bit by letting him pick out some chapter books and a few picture books for Blaine, too. (Side note: You should see the MOUNTAIN of books Braylon sleeps with - He reads himself to sleep like his parents do.)
3) Ran to Wal-Mart to buy teacher appreciation gift and cards. Delivered cards/cake to Blaine's school.
4) Went home to 'rest'. After all, I took the morning off since I'm still recouping from the strep throat. (BTW, I'm about 85% better...After a good rest tonight I hope to be shooting at 100%.)
5) Attended Blaine's school program. Unfortunately this year our family was spread out all over the state and Brandon had to attend a luncheon in his honor for the last day of his clinical. I was the only person there to cheer Blaine on.
6) Leaving Blaine's program a little early, I RUSHED across the tracks back to Braylon's school to attend a Mother's Day Tea. If I hadn't of gone, I would have been the only mother not present, so I'm glad I decided to rush over.
7) Joined Braylon for lunch in the school cafeteria. He was so precious to 'buy' my lunch on his school account. He has no idea I've paid for it on the computer out of my own pocket.
8) Signed the boys up for flag football at the Y.
9) Went to work to rest! (Working mothers of the world, you know what I'm talking about!)

A Year of Sickness

I'm remembering back on 2009 so far. Here's what I remember most vividly: Strep for Blaine and Mommy in January. For Braylon it was the flu and surgery for his 3rd round of ear tubes in February. The flu and a sinus infection for Mommy in February, too. An ear infection for Blaine in March. The pink eye for the boys in late April. And presently strep for Blaine and Mommy in May. Brandon has been well if you don't count testing for high blood pressure issues. What gives? I hope we have gotten all our sickness for the year out the way already and the rest will be smooth sailing...Ahhh....I can hope.

Yeah Right!

Not strep, my hiney! Blaine woke up crying that his 'breath' hurt this a.m. Since I have been in pretty severe pain in my throat since Sunday, I put all the pieces together and decided it was time to take Blaine back to see the doctor. Yep, it's strep. That means: Dah duh duh Daaahhhh....Mommy has it, too. (Blaine's doc agrees.)My doctor didn't even do a strep test, come to think of it...I really think it was an oversight on her part. Anyway, we are both on antibiotics, but boy...I've been in PAIN for 4 days straight and I sure would enjoy some RELIEF! Tomorrow we will take the day off from work/school and recoup at home. I'm planning on at least a nice fat afternoon nap, if nothing else...

Not Strep

Well, I buckled down and went to the doctor this a.m. (See Mom, I do that sometimes!) I don't have strep - Just a pesky post-nasal drip that is causing my throat to be raw. She gave me a nice little thing I like to call heaven in a syringe, aka Cortizone and stronger allergy meds. I have been told that this time tomorrow I'll think everything is right in the world... I wonder just what is in that shot? Everything right with with world?

Well?

It appears we are moving past the pink eye issues - The boys both seems fully or nearly fully recovered this evening. If Brandon and I can last a few more days without symptoms we'll call it a success. And boy I did spray everything down - Yesterday this whole house smelled like we were living inside a Lysol can. Here's hoping... However.... Now I'm swallowing daggers again. This happened in late January when I had the strep. I've been ignoring it for a couple days now, but I have a feeling its time to go get swabbed. Three years ago I waited so long that it severely infected by throat and vocal chords - Not only did I lose my voice, I literally couldn't make a peep. I know, I know... And this was a problem how?? I'll go get it checked out if I'm still hurting tomorrow...I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on the vastly prophetic things I always have to say...

'Ol Pink Eyes

Still suffering the saga of The Pink Eye Plague!! Braylon was MOST upset last night when we discovered he, too, has contracted a curious case of leaky eye syndrome. That meant he was a no-go for his class field trip today (to the fire station no less) AND he had to decline from a birthday party he's been looking forward to going to for weeks. It was at least 30 minutes of gooey tears last night. By the time Braylon woke up this a.m. he looked like a professional boxer - Full with the shiner and swollen-shut eyes. (Poor thing!)

This momma not too happy bout it...But what can you do? UGH!