Beautiful Dreamers

The stairs have been my nemesis since the leg break. I fear them (or at least the tumbling down them) so much that I have avoided them at all costs. I've just recently started going up and down, but still restrict it to not even once a day. It just takes too much energy & courage. So because of the stair issue, I've been missing out on one of my favorite times with my kids, bedtime. I guess the whole bedtime thing isn't really my favorite, but the falling asleep part is. I love, love, love singing them to sleep and lying with them while they drift off. It is usually a big fight over who gets to have Mommy with them first. I usually start with Kate, since she will drop off first. Brett always manages to weasel his way into my lap - not that I fight it much. After a couple songs, Katelyn is usually lightly snoring. Then we move over to Brett's bed and he gets me all to himself. We used to "dance around", where I would hold him, sing to him and slow dance him around the room. I am sure missing that. But the last two nights of getting to tuck them in and sing them off to sleep have been nice. I didn't realize how much I missed it. Sleeping babies are my favorite - even when they aren't so little anymore. Here is a picture I took last year that is one of my all time favorites. Aren't they just the sweetest things? So sweet when they are dreaming....my beautiful dreamers.

Lucky or Blessed - which ever you call it, I'm it...

You might think that I'd be sitting around feeling sorry for myself with the big broken leg thing & all. I mean I can't do much, can't go many places, can't do all that extra work I'd planned to make extra money and I get a little panicky at the sight or even the thought of stairs. But everyday, I feel like life is good. Although mornings I have to remind myself while cleaning up messes on the floor - balancing on the good leg. I have the most wonderful friends. Since I've been down and out, we have had an abundance of food delivered to our home. Good home cooked meals that last through the next day lunches and more dinners. I've had calls and cards from people that I see me for 15 minutes a day, once a week maybe. That really makes a person feel good. But I'm even luckier than that. I have friends & family who have come over and done my laundry, dishes, cleaned my toilets! and driven me all over town doing errands. They take my kids to play so that I can have a break and get a shower in. I just want to say thank you to my friends. I am truly blessed to have you in my life. I love you dearly and if you ever break a bone...

I Love you MORE...

I know there is a book by this same title, but we don't have it. I'm not sure where or why it started, but this is a game Brett & I play at least daily. He's actually the one who started it or so I think. He will just come up to me, out of the blue, and say ever so sweetly, "I love you Mommy". Then he climbs up and gives me a kiss. I say, "I love you too Brett" and then it begins...

"I love you mo-ore" (sing-songy). "No, I love you more." "No, I love you more." and on and on and on. Then I say, "okay, you can love me more today, but I get to love you more tomorrow". Then I am told, "No, I get to love YOU more tomorrow". We continue this way until we have covered all the days of the week and I'm still not allowed to be the one that "loves more". I beg for one day, but still denied. Did I mention that during all this time I am being covered in kisses? Yes, the perfect, soft, little baby kisses (with an occasional puppy lick thrown in) that make life worth living. Man, I love this little boy!

"Crunches"

My leg has become much the center of our universe around the White house in the past couple weeks. For the first couple days, everyday, Brett would ask, "Mommy, is your leg still broke?" Both the kids are fascinated with the crutches or as Brett calls them "crunches". He talks so well & really always has, but gets a little confused on some words. I hate correcting them when they are so cute with the wrong words, but realized I did Katelyn a disservice by doing that and am trying to not do it to Brett.

Last night the kids were doing stuff around the house & both got boo-boos. Katelyn stubbed her toe & Brett scratched his leg (of course lower limb injuries). Both of them decided that they were not going to be able to walk anymore -- their injuries were too severe -- and that they would from now on require "crunches". Today I heard them talking about needing surgery while playing. Isn't it amazing what they pick up on and how appropriately and then inappropriately use it in conversations. Cracks me up!

Oh, and for the first time ever (to my total surprise that it has taken this long), Katelyn asked tonight how babies get out. I just nonchalantly said, you push them out your bottom (labor girls know that's the vagina, not the butt). She giggled and said, "I kind of wondered about that". I then added that sometimes they cut them out of your tummy. She responded with, "I think I'd rather push it out my bottom and not have to have my tummy cut". I told her I agreed, it is much better to do that! I so love it when the "big" topics don't have to be a big deal. Now to prepare myself for when she asks how they get in!

Answered prayers?

I got an unexpected gift for Christmas this year - a broken leg. I slipped on some ice while going back out to the car to get a sleeping Brett. After spending 3 hours in the ER on Christmas eve, while Brett slept through the entire visit & Katelyn was such a big brave girl, Daddy set up everything with me directing from the couch. Although all of our Christmas plans went out the window, I felt like it was still a very good one. Instead of hustling & bustling to and from, we got to spend our whole Christmas vacation at home. Almost everyone came to us this time - CoCo came on Christmas night and did EVERYTHING for us, my dad showed up at the hospital after my surgery, Nicky & Trevor and then Sharon came down to help out also. We actually got to have nice visits without all the stress.

One great thing about being propped on the couch is that you can't go anywhere, except to potty, and anyone can come snuggle at any time. Over the last few months, snuggles have gotten pushed aside to get things done, go to work, life. My kids have been wishing and praying that Mommy wouldn't have to work so much. Do you know how hard it is to leave when everyone is crying and hanging on you begging you not to go? When the little one thinks he can keep you from leaving by standing in front of the door? It would make me sad, but you have to do what you have to do to live right? I would try to explain to them why Mommy had to work more right now. Even though they would try to understand, they were really missing out on Mommy time. Well they've got it now. I've had so many hugs, kisses, snuggles and cuddles over the last couple weeks that I feel like the most love person in the world. I guess sometimes God has to knock you down - literally - to get your attention and answer some prayers! So this year I will thank him for the broken leg and all that has come with it. As the saying goes, "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit".