That explains it!

I have been reading my old entries, and I see a recurring theme.  Fatigue, fatigue, fatigue!  Well, today I can tell the world just why I am so tired.  I am growing a human--that's right, the Scott family is increasing by one.  I have known since just after we got home from Jamaica, but I wasn't quite ready to believe it.  Well, here is the little munchkin in my 12th week--looking alive and perfect, and I am believing it now.

Tonight, Trey and I told the kids and they are so excited.  They began to jump up and down, squeal, and dance.  Katie immediately offered to share her toys with the new baby.  Chip called his Granna and told her the big news and couldn't contain his enthusiasm.  They both said "good night" and "love you" to the little sibling.  I know they are in for an adjustment, but my heart is warmed by their initial reaction.  Everything is going to work out.

August 31, 2010  Blessing #126

I am thankful for new life and for the love my family shares.  Growing a baby, I feel like I am assisting in a miracle--and sharing the news with my children, I feel like I witnessed another one tonight.

Hate to do it...

But I can't hold my eyes open.  My blessing tonight has to be short and sweet.

Blessing #125, August 30, 2010

The breeze and the break in the heat is fabulous.  Walking across campus is almost refreshing again--as opposed to seemingly impossible.  I am thankful for the seasons, because each time we begin to move into a new one, I get invigorated.

Put a Fork in It

Chip has completed all of his make up work.  I wasn't sure it was possible, but it got done.  It is a great feeling to send him back to school caught up. He's practiced piano and has his clothes laid out for tomorrow.  Trey completed his triathalon, and I got every last piece of clothing washed, dried, and folded. The yummy cornbread is in the oven to go with our soup tomorrow night. (Thank heaven for Bob's Red Mill.) What a great way to start the week.

August 29, 2010  Blessing #124

Today is one of the rare times I feel like I've got the house more or less together.  It's wonderful to feel ahead of the curve--however brief an interlude it might be!

Hurry and Throw Up Already!

What a great night! We hosted the monthly supper club at our pool-which was a fabulous idea.  I didn't have to clean the house, hide the piles of laundry needing to be folded, or obsess over the centerpiece for the table.  Instead it was about flip flops, burgers, paper plates, and laughter.  It has been a while since I've been at our supper club, and I have missed my girls! Don't get me wrong-I love their families too, but at these events the kids pretty much entertain themselves, the men designate a manly area and stay there, and the ladies sit together sharing stories, laughing, and supporting each other.

It is wonderful to connect with other moms.  Sometimes I think I must be only person in the world with this many balls in the air (like when I was telling my son ,"just hurry and throw up already so I can get in my classroom and leave the plans for the sub and get your sister to school on time, and DO NOT get it on your shirt!" I mean that's pretty bad.....fussing at your sick child because you have too much going on to tend to him!).  But really, it's just that my busy life keeps me isolated from other Moms dealing with the same kind of stuff.

Tonight I was reminded how important supporting other moms is-and allowing myself to be supported by them.  We shared tales of speech impediments, dyslexia, sensory integration issues, intestinal blockages, and the fact that sometimes we are human and just wish our kids could get over all this and stop being so high maintenance (preferebly in time for soccer and piano)--and then of course we feel guilty for being human.  We can't be human-we are MOTHERS!  And, there's that pesky S on my chest again.....

We reminded each other we can't be perfect, we don't need to try, and we must ask for help!  All this went on while the boys looked like Lord of the Flies come to life with their growling and sword play, the little girls had a very extensive tea party, and the men sorted out what Coach Richt needs to do about them Dawgs.

August 28, 2010  Blessing #123

I am blessed to have such wonderful girl friends who can relate to my crazy life.  I left tonight feeling light hearted, happy, and understood. Thank God for these women, their families, and that we found one another!

PS--And major kudos to my husband who did all the grilling and fed the children while we ladies were floating on our noodles.

TGIF

Blessing #122, August 27, 2010

It has been a hard week, even though it was wonderful to have everyone back at work and school today.  Still, I am exhausted-and so are the kids.  Even if it is cliche, I am so happy it is Friday.  We need to recover and recharge--and there is no time to do that like a Friday night.

Blessed Relief

Finally, Chip is feeling better!  He slept solid last night until 9am-woke with no hives, no sign of itching, and just the remnants of a cough.  We have been busy picking up dry cleaning, stripping the sheets, and working on make up work.  He is tremendously relieved to be feeling better, and I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  There is nothing worse than watching your children suffer and feeling powerless to stop it.

Katie is still pretty congested but has no fever, so both kids will head back to school tomorrow.  Trey and I can both head back to work.  Today the blessing is easy.

August 26, 2010 Blessing #121

Thank God for healthy children.  When all is going well I think we forget how miserable it is when they are sick. It is so stressful on the children and the parents.  I am blessed that my children are feeling better!

Wait for me!!

What day is it? I feel so behind--like the world is taking off whether I'm ready or not....

Well, when I picked Katie up from school yesterday, she had that crazy, head cold voice.  She thought it was hilarious (it was kind of funny; I mean a petite blond 4 year with a super sexy grown up lady voice?)--and then the coughing started.  So, Trey was out today with both kids, while I went back to school.  I learned at lunchtime that Chip is still pretty bad off--Katie isn't worse, at least, but she's not well either.  I went ahead and arranged for a sub for tomorrow and will head back to the doctor with the boy. 

So, what does it take to make this OCD PhD fall off the blessing wagon?  Two sick kids, one full time job, and a serious lack of sleep.  Oh, sure, there are other issues going on too, but I don't have the energy to explain tonight......more on that later.

So, I'm still in my funk--but thank God for this exercise, which really has me looking for the blessings, even in the hard stuff.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010  Blessing #119--one day late, but again with the sleep-I mean what day is it?

Chip got about an hour and half of comfortable sleep this afternoon--granted he was doped on Benadryll to control the itching, but we piled up in my bed and napped like crazy.  Everything seemed a bit better when I woke up.  It was wonderful to get what I'd been praying for--a little comfort for my poor son.  So, cheesy, maybe, but that prayer was answered and it was a good thing.


Wednesday, August 25, 2010  Blessing #120  On time

Back at work today--it was good to see my students.  I was able to fully engage, too, because my husband was home taking care of the 2 sick kids-and he is great at it.  I am thankful that Trey is fully involved and an equal partner in parenting. I couldn't do this without him--he is a gift from God to me and to our children.

When it Rains.....

It pours.   I was at school late last night for College Night-I can't believe my advisees are in their last year. Anyway, I came home to find that Chip is sick.  Last night we had a leg ache, a nightmare, full body hives, a fever, and a cough.  Then this morning we had the big kahuna with a throw up.  We are only in the 2nd week of school, and I have already had to call and arrange a sub. Chip is stressing about make up work (he gets his OCD honestly), and I'm exhausted.  The Dr. says it is some sort of virus-and that we'll just have to wait and see.  Every mother loves the "wait and see" virus.

So, I'm late with my blessing and I'm not feeling particularly grateful for my lot.  But here we go...as painful as it is I have to focus on the blessing.

Blessing #118, August 23rd, 2010 (1 day late--but I haven't really slept since yesterday so the days are kind of running together)

Chip has hives in his ears, in his underwear, and pretty much everywhere else.  It makes me hurt to look at him because he is so uncomfortable.  However, on they way home from the Doctor he says, "Mom, I wish I was a snake so I could slither right out of my skin."  Now that is one smart, imaginative, sick, precious, little boy.  So, I am blessed beyond measure to be his mother-even on the rough days.

Grilled Chicken Portabella

We headed to Conyers today to celebrate Paw-Paw's birthday (my Dad in law).  We met at Longhorn and had a fabulous meal.  But the food wasn't even the best part.  The kids were so excited to see their cousins, my Mother in law looked healthy and happy, and there was enough love around the table you could almost touch it.

Blessing #117, August 22, 2010

Today I was blessed with safe travels to and from Conyers and the health and happiness of my family. It was a rich, wonderful day.

Big Blue Couch

We have a denim sectional-the blue is faded, but it is still so comfortable.  We are piled up on it right now folding clothes and watching Dead Poets Society.  Katie has her gavi, Chip is studying his Ranger Rick, and the family is content as can be.  It is a wonderful feeling.

Blessing #116, August 21, 2010

I am thankful for the big, faded, blue couch which has been at the center of quiet, family evenings.  Feeling safe, comfortable, and cozy with my family is a treasure.

Tonight it's Simple

It was a great first week.  The kids and I are that wonderful kind of tired that comes from hard work and long days.  And now, it's Friday and we get to spend tomorrow recovering.  We'll have a big breakfast, stay in our pajamas and work puzzles, and then maybe head to the pool.  Of course at some point, we will have to catch up on laundry and grocery shopping, but with enough sleep anything sounds doable.

August 20, 2010  Blessing #115

I am glad we had a good week. I am thankful for our school, for work that I love, and the tired feeling that comes with a job well done.  And I am blessed that I have this weekend time with my family.  I used to coordinate tutoring services in a trailer park near by, and the parents there worked nearly round the clock at the chicken plant to provide for the families.  I feel so fortunate to have it this good.

A Good Night's Sleep

You learn not to take a good night's sleep for granted when you have young children.  Monday and Tuesday night, Trey and I played musical beds handling crises like leg aches, nightmares, and stuffy noses.  By yesterday we were worn slap out. So  last night we were asleep, every one of us, by 9pm.  It was a boogie man-free night, and it was wondeful.

Blessing #114 August 19, 2009

It is marvelous to get a good night's sleep.  Think about what it implies--to be able to sleep soundly and peacefully,  a person needs to feel safe, content, and well-fed.  We were all those things last night, and I woke up today feeling fabulous.  What a blessing that my family can sleep well.

Memories!

I had a great day at work, but I dropped all my planning periods and barely had time to go the potty.  So, I'm ready to chillax (as Chip says) and remember a simpler time.

Blessing #113, August 18, 2010

I am thankful all over again that Trey and I had that trip to Jamaica. I am lucky that I had a real summer--no summer school or summer work at the University.  Sure, today was long, but I am rejuvenated beyond belief so I am not complaining!

Pillars of the Earth

I have read so much this summer. I read all the Sookie Stackhouse books, several professional books, and just completed the epic novel, The Pillars of the Earth.  It's been a long time since I've gotten lost in and refreshed by reading for pleasure.  I was amazed at the Pillars of the Earth.   It is so detailed and captivating. I couldn't wait for my next block of time for reading.  If only our history books could be written with such a focus on people and relationships, I would have had no trouble loving social studies.  The imagery of the churches, the towns, the monasteries, and the castles was so vibrant, that I felt I'd been transported back in time.

Blessing #112, August 17, 2010

I am thankful for the written word and all that it allows.  We use to learn, to teach, to record, and to entertain.  I can't imagine life before there were books like this one to get lost in and learn from.

The Dog house

Well, it finally happened. I had every intention of writing about a blessing last night, but as I was reading to Katie, I fell asleep.  It was the drooling, mouth agape kind of sleep.  Trey did wake me close to 11 and reminded me about my blog, but I just couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to do it.  So, I guess I messed up.......


Better late than never!  Yesterday the kids had orientation in their new classrooms.  They came home so pumped for the new year.  I heard all about their teachers and friends.  Their excitement was so intense it was almost palpable.

Blessing #111, for August 16, 2010  (posted 1 day late)

I am so fortunate that my children are able to attend this school, and that they love it.  They have been nurtured and challenged by their teachers, and they feel good and safe when they walk onto the campus.  Athens Academy is such a tremendous part of and gift to our family.