Last Day of School and Bike Riding

I have so many things I want to write about here.  I'm hoping if I just keep doing it when I do, it will become more of a habit and maybe I will post more.  I've got a lot of stories, along with a great deal going on in my head that maybe I will want to write sometime.
Today is mostly pictures.  I have read a few times lately about how the little things now are going to be the big things that are remembered later on for my kids.  That totally makes sense in my head but when you start going through the actions of your day, it is so easy to forget.  But here's a few pictures of some of those little things.
I wanted to celebrate the last day of school with my kids but they were headed to their dad's house in the afternoon that day, so I decided to celebrate before school.  I got up and had waffles made for them when I woke them up.

I would love to tell you that it was the perfect morning and my kids thought wow we have the best mom.  But honestly Logan just said but I want scrambled eggs.  Sometimes those things offend me and I never feel like I do a good enough job for my kids.  For some reason, that morning my perspective was good and I actually just made a few scrambled eggs for him.  He decided that even though he didn't have a last day of school, it was still a celebration of him almost being a kindergartner.
Then I tried to take some last day of school pictures in the front yard.  We ran into a problem that doesn't really happen on the last day of school in Oregon very often.

There was too much sun!!  I was forcing my kids to look into the sun so I could take some pictures.  You would have thought I was truly torturing them.  So we came inside and did some pictures.

In other news, with some nicer weather for us, the kids have been playing outside a lot.  I knew that Logan was ready to ride a bike without training wheels.  The pedal broke on his bike about a month ago, so we decided he could try his sister's bike.  And off he went on the pink and purple bike.  He never even really needed me.

After I went to work and bragged about how Logan took off on his sister's bike, one of my coworkers fixed up a bike his son had outgrown.  Now Logan doesn't have to ride a girly bike!!  And I feel so fortunate to work with such kind people.

So that is just a little of what we have been up to.  I can't wait to share more of our little things, that are really the important things.

To the Doctor We Will Go...

This past week has felt like a series of doctor appointments for my boys.  Last Thursday Jacob told me he had hurt his thumb.  He didn't say much more about it.  I knew it hurt him a bit, but it was his right hand and he is a lefty, so he seemed to be functioning just fine.
Friday I got off work early because I didn't have a babysitter, so I was home in time to meet Jacob and Ally when they got off the bus.  (Logan was with his GG.)  When the two older kids came home, my plan was for us to straighten up around the house because we were going to have house guests for the long weekend.  Straightening up was too much for Jacob and his thumb.  I honestly don't know if he would have shown me how bad it was if I hadn't asked him to clean the cat litter box.  But sure enough it did look like it was pretty painful for him to do anything with his right hand.
I had the internal debate about whether it was doctor worthy.  I always feel silly when I go to the doctor and they tell me that it's really nothing.  I pondered whether this was a sprain and if we should just ice and wait.  But I would not have had peace of mind doing that, so into the doctor we went.
I feel lucky that I have never had a hard time getting into Immediate Care.  I hear horror stories of waiting forever, but I've never had that happen.  We got right into to see the doctor.  Of course a small exam room with Jacob and Ally made it feel like we were back there forever, but we really weren't.   Jacob got x-rays done and we were back in the exam room waiting.

I was ready for the doctor to say, it's a sprain, we can't do anything, just keep icing.  But she surprised me and said there was a small fracture.  She directed us to the cast room where Jacob had a splint created for him to wear for a week until we saw a specialist.

The following Thursday Jacob got to see the orthopedic specialist.  Dr. D. told us the x-rays didn't make him sure there is a fracture but there maybe a little one.  Dr. D. decided we need to protect Jacob's thumb for a couple more weeks because he does think that area is weak, so Jacob was fitted for a brace.  I'm so thankful that he has that brace that he can take off to shower and sleep.  It's so much easier than a cast (but I know Jacob thought he wanted a cast for people to sign).

When we headed home after that I thought thank goodness we are done with the doctor for now.  But I picked up Ally and Logan from the babysitter and Logan was not my Logan.  He was super hot and I was hoping he had just gotten over heated.  I had to go to the grocery store and poor Logan sat in the cart crying and saying he thought he was going to die (Nothing like a little drama when you're out in public).  I tried to offer Logan any food in the store that I thought would magically heal whatever was happening with him.  Nothing worked, not ice cream or candy.  When we were back by the bakery, I tried to cheer him up by showing him a Thomas the Train cake.  He decided he wanted that.  I couldn't bring myself to buy him a cake.  That night was awful for Logan.  He didn't sleep well because he was so feverish and achy.  Tylenol wasn't even bringing down the fever.  Calling into work is one of my least favorite things to do, but I really couldn't remember seeing Logan so sick.  Thus another doctor trip for us.  This one did have the results that there really wasn't anything the doctor could do for us.  He reassured me Logan's ears and throat looked okay.  But it was probably just a flu virus that we would have to wait out.  So home we headed to relax.  Jacob had a Cub Scout event that evening, so GG came over to stay with Logan.  And guess what she brought...

I'm happy to say Logan is about back to normal and Jacob is doing well with his brace.  I tried to feel sorry for myself over going to the doctor too much, but then I remembered that there are people who probably couldn't have just taken their boys to the doctor like I did.  God is definitely taking care of me and my kids...thank goodness!!

Throwing Rocks...

Write about a time your child embarrassed you in public.
Unfortunately, when I saw this prompt on the Writer's Workshop that I often read, I didn't have to think long to come up with an answer. A few weeks ago Jacob's Cub Scout troop had it's Crossing Over ceremony for their fifth graders.  The ceremony was held in the park, so I let Ally and Logan loose to play on the toys while Jacob and I watched and thought about how cool it will be next year when it was his time to cross over.Part way through the ceremony Logan runs over to tell me there is a boy throwing rocks at him on the playground.  I whispered to him to just stay away from the trouble maker.  Logan rolled his eyes at my inadequate dealing of the situation and ran off.A few minutes later I turn to check on my kids, just in time to see Logan picking up a rock to retaliate to the situation with which I hadn't helped.  I quickly exited the ceremony area and ran over calling Logan over to me.  My son felt completely justified in what he had done.  My most logical child had thought this through...a kid throws rocks at him, Mom won't help, he had to take things into his own hands.  My intent was to make him sit for a few minutes, talk to him about the hazards of throwing rocks, and move on.  Why doesn't anything happen with my kids the way I imagine it in my head?He planted himself, with other parents on the playground watching the show, and shouted he threw them at me first.   Wearing the heels I had worn to work that day, I was not as good at getting around on the playground as Logan, so it took a bit of time before I caught his arm.  We need to get off the playground, I tried to calmly explain to my five year old.  He had no intention of making any move away from those toys.At this point, I was in too deep to let it go and discuss later, so I did the only thing I could do, I picked up my boy who has been too big to carry for at least a year.  His legs dangled in front of my legs, so his feet kicked my legs with the first few steps.  Then the little genius wrapped both his legs around one of my knees rendering me immobile.After a little more regrouping in my head, the kid got set down and picked back up.  But this time sideways, like a log.  I made quick work of throwing him in the van and shutting the door.  Finally I was able to turn around and face the park full of people, while I leaned on the van from which screams of hatred were coming from my youngest child.  I stood there and pondered just getting in and driving away but then I remembered I have two more kids, one of which was in the middle of a function.  So instead I waited for the screams to stop.  Then I would open the door and they would begin again.

How can you stay mad at that face??

He was released from the van at some point that evening, but definitely not to return to the playground toys.  There also was a follow up grounding from video games, which, for him, is the cruelest form of torture.  I'm hoping he came away a little wiser, while I just came away wishing I could throw some rocks.

So Far This Week...

Last weekend was very quiet for us.  I was so excited to not have any plans.  I had this wonderful dream of tons of family bonding and we just laugh and play all weekend.  However the reality is by Sunday evening we were all getting on each others nerves.  So I was ready to head back to work Monday morning.  Don't get me wrong, I love my kids more than words can describe.  I miss them like crazy when I'm at work.  But by Sunday, when Jacob cries because he found out someone in his class got an I Phone (and he doesn't have a phone), or Ally cries because Logan ran her finger over with the toy dump truck, or Logan cries because Ally's mad that he ran over her finger, work sometimes sounds like a nice break.  I accept that as God's gift to keep me from being too sad that I work full time.
Monday evening is Jacob's Cub Scout meeting night.  I forgot until I got the email around lunchtime on Monday that instead of meeting inside we were meeting outside to work on a service project.  We were helping clean up some land where we plan to have our end of the year barbecue next week.  That was scheduled for 5:30; I get off work at 5:00.  Thus straight there we went.  My kids and I weren't very appropriately dressed for the occasion.  I finally went and sat in the car with Ally and Logan while Jacob worked.  When he was done he came and told us that the people who owned the area had offered to take the kids on a hayride.  Ally and Logan were so excited!!  I felt guilty that Ally and Logan went on the hayride after the three of us didn't help but no one seemed to mind.

Today I decided it was time to get Logan all caught up on his shots.  I called the doctor's office this morning to see if there was a day that the office had evening hours when they could do this.  The assistant was super nice and just told me to come in this evening.  I picked the kids up from the babysitter and told Logan he had an appointment and we headed straight there.  I waited until we were there to tell him it was for shots.  He was nervous but did well.
Logan's shots meant I gave him the right to decide on dinner.  The obvious choice was mac and cheese from the box and chicken nuggets.  I must point out that I made homemade mac and cheese this weekend (that we ate for leftovers last night) and my kids made it quite clear that is not what they wanted.  After the fourth time that Ally said not that mac and cheese you made us eat last night, I finally had to say if I hear that one more time I'm going to get frustrated.  I then think one of my kids said frustrated and laughed at me.  But I didn't hear it again.
During dinner, Logan discovered that not only does he like to dip his chicken nuggets in ketchup, but he also like ketchup with his mac and cheese (out of the box, of course).

And I had a plan for dessert...

Ally and Logan worked hard on the whoopie pies.

Maybe they don't look exactly like they did on the box, but they tasted good!

So that is how our week has began. Tomorrow the work week is halfway over, headed into a 3 day weekend!!  Woot!!

Here We Go...

So I don't know if I will have the discipline to keep this going.  But I feel like its something I should do.  I want to show everyone that being a single mom is totally doable, and being a single mom with God's help is even easier.
When I became a single mom, I didn't want to do it and I wasn't quite sure I even could do it.  Before it even happened I was mad at God.  I had thought if this is all God can do for me, I was throwing in the towel.  Why go to church, if God was going to let my dad die of brain cancer and my mom have to battle breast cancer?  Luckily God didn't give up on me when I had decided I was giving up on Him.  Suddenly I found myself a single mom and I was still mad at Him.
It's amazing to look back at how things worked out.  I was a broken, single mom.  I don't want to take credit away from the people who were there.  My family was there when I needed them and I had some friends from work who were beyond supportive, but none of that could fix how broken I felt.
After nearly a year,I thought I should take the kids to church for Easter.  I still don't know why I made the decision.  But I can tell you why I went back the second week, they took my kids.  What better way for a frazzled mom to feel better than to sit down for an hour while her kids were being cared for by nice people.  Then through the many Sundays there and the kind people I began to know, I realized that God was asking me to let Him back in.
Going to church isn't always easy when your family isn't typical.  Sometimes I feel like I stick out sitting there without a spouse.  But here's what I finally realized, everyone else has their own set of problems.  Being a single mom, in no way, would mean that I don't belong in church.  It is only my insecurities that would ever give me that idea.
So here I am.  I want to blog about my family and how we do it.  I feel like God is leading me to reach out to other single moms.  I do not claim to have things figured out.  But I'm just hoping that I can show people that it is possible.  Maybe no one else needs to see this and this is just a reminder for myself (because I often forget).  Whatever the case, here we are and I hope it helps a little.

This picture is us on Easter this year.  That marks 3 years since that day back in 2009 when we went to church just for Easter (and now we can't stop.)