Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Weekend Recap - 5/14/18


5/14/18

Lately, it feels like every week includes some new challenge or hardship.  Last week was a doozy.  I think I’ve cried more in the past two weeks than ever before in my life.  Two former bosses along with one of my good friends were laid off with several other employees (many of whom I've known for years).  These were people who helped build and shape the company.  People I considered dear friends and mentors.  They contributed so much.  They were liked by everyone.  When I learned of it, I was in disbelief.  My disbelief quickly turned to anger.  How can a company treat people this way?  I've decided it's time for me to begin looking for a new job.  Because I really need more chaos in my life. :\  When it rains, it pours...

On the brighter side, A had CF clinic and it went well.  The confusing part is that both his FEVC and FEV1 numbers were up, but the percentage was down a point.  I’m taking the higher FEVC and FEV1 as a good sign.  I had a good laugh when I looked at his results and the tech had written that the patient was cooperative.  Haha! 

On Friday, W attended ‘Kindergarten Experience’.  I worked from home in order to drop him off and as this happened to be the day my beloved coworkers were packing up their offices, I was so happy to be working from home.  W told me quite a few times that he was nervous and I continually reassured him that this would be a great way to meet teachers and check out the classroom.  From what I could tell, it went well.  He was only at Kindergarten for an hour, but was paired with a Kindergarten buddy, read a story, had a snack, and made a cute little paper duck. J  Those kindergarten hallways are the cutest – I love all the little projects hanging from the walls and the sweet handwriting.

Saturday morning, the boys actually slept until about 6:45ish, which is really good for them.  S woke first.  I’ll typically go get him and bring him to our bed where he drinks milk, we watch PBS cartoons, and ease into the day.  A, S, Addie, and myself were all lying in bed when I smelled something.  I thought it was the dog and commented that she was stinky.  A couple minutes later, I smelled something again.  S told me he needed a diaper change.  I sat up and realized there was poop everywhere.  Happy Mother’s Day weekend to me.  S went straight into the bathtub while A took the sheets off the bed.  After a bath and starting a load of laundry, all three boys headed out to pick up Starbucks.  I had requested it for Mother’s Day weekend and they delivered.  After breakfast, I headed out for a pedicure.  So relaxing!  In the afternoon, I visited my brother in the hospital and picked up Chinese food on the way home.

Sunday, we headed to church and Starbucks again.  I opened some fabulous Mother’s Day gifts, which included necklaces made by W, a handprint and poem made by S, and a blender and pedicure gift certificate from A.  Everything was perfect.  And if you’re wondering about the blender, I specifically asked for it. ;)  I thought it’d be fun to make smoothies and get some fruits and veggies into the boys.  Epic fail there because they both gagged when I had them try a yogurt smoothie.  I thought it was delicious.  A entertained the boys much of the day, I allowed myself to sit on the couch for a blissful hour and do nothing.  I made Cajun pasta and sausage for dinner, which was delicious.  All in all a good Mother’s Day, albeit, a little sad given current circumstances.






Thursday, May 17, 2018

Weekend Recap - 5/7/18


5/7/18

Another busy weekend in the books.  I spent some time at the hospital Saturday and Sunday with my brother.  While this situation is incredibly difficult, I’m so thankful for A.  He’s been entertaining the boys with park visits and even trips to the amusement park while I’m away and he's been holding down the house.  I’ve been receiving phone calls from family and friends who’ve heard about my brother.  They reach out to me instead of my mom, knowing that she’s often at the hospital and overwhelmed.  I’m relieved they’re contacting me and so appreciative of the offers for help, but I have to admit, it’s draining.  I hate being the one to confirm such terrible news.  I save my tears for when the boys are in bed or when I'm in the car alone.  Everything about the situation is emotionally exhausting.

Despite the hospital visits and sadness, we’re trying to make sure that the boys maintain a sense of normalcy as much as possible.  W has had some rough days and I'm sure he's catching on that things are really difficult right now, but we're doing our best.



They’ve been playing outside so much - soaking in the sunshine and warmer spring temperatures.  W has taken to riding the scooter he received for Christmas and zips through the neighborhood.  S is trying to figure out how to pedal.  Every day, W asks, “is it warm enough for sandals?” and also, “when can we get out the pool?”  Our pool is a tiny plastic kiddie pool so I don't understand the intrigue, but they’re very eager.







On Sunday, May 6, we participated in the Great Strides walk.  I wish we had had a larger team, but grateful to those who walked with us and supported us.  Our team raised over $500 (close to $600), which I’m really proud of.  A little side story: the boys were super excited to see purple shirts (W's favorite color!).  We found some in their size and moved along.  We later learned that the purple shirts were actually for those with CF.  No one told us.  Oops!  We had to explain a few times that A has CF and the boys do not.  They looked cute nonetheless.



Friday, May 4, 2018

Update


Something happened last week.  I’m not ready to talk about it in full detail, but I’ll summarize by saying my younger (and only) brother is in ICU.  He’s very sick and doctors haven’t given us any hope.  In fact, they've begun talking hospice care.  I’m completely heartbroken.  I’m trying to continue on and stay strong, but I’m hurting.  With that, I plan on taking a break from the blog (or at least my posts will be sporadic).  Until next time...