THIRTEEN!

Guess who is thirteen?  Yup!  Another teenager in this house of mine.

Henny Penny was so excited to hit the big 13.  The Mum on the other hand was totally lame and didn't take photos of our excursion out together where Henny Penny got her toes painted.  A pedicure.  Her first.  Cute toes!

And then she got a new bike.  True to Henny Penny style, she didn't like/want any of the girly bikes I pulled out for her to try.  She ended up with a boys bike.  All black.  I love that about her.  One of her many qualities that I love.  Very down to earth.  My girl!

El Creepo!

This past weekend, The SM's youngest sister got married.  It was a beautiful wedding, she was a beautiful bride.

With weddings that means family is in town.  There were dinners and photo shoots and receptions.  Plenty of time for me to mingle and once again declare myself as the creepy sister in law!

We were having a dinner with the groom's family so The SM's family could meet the groom's family.  The dinner was outside in the backyard at a home of friend's of the groom's family.  How complicated is that?  Just know that I have yard and kitchen envy.  Big time!!  The kitchen in this house was so fantastic, I would actually cook something in it.  Maybe.  At least heat up frozen dinners in it for sure for The Natives.

Anyway, we're all standing around talking after the dinner was over and I look over at my brother in law who is The SM's younger brother who is actually my age which tells you that The SM totally robbed the cradle.  Totally!!  I remind him every so often..........  I look over and my brother in law is talking to who?  I don't know.  Doesn't matter.  What matters is that one of the front pockets of his jeans is sticking out and GO ME!

I'm walking...... walking........ walking............. intent on putting that pocket back in the jeans where it belongs........... I get to my brother in law.......... I stick out my hand............. and GASP!!  WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING???  Hellloooooooo!  Can you get any creepier??  Snatch hand back just in time!!

I busted up laughing and my brother in law looked at me and asked me what was so funny.  With a red face I told him what I'd almost done!  Thankfully, he knows I'm awfully creepy and weird like that and said, "That would have been awkward"!  Uh.  YA!

Sigh........ once a mom of little boys who always have their pockets hanging out........... always a mom........

So, when's the next family reunion?

Band-aids

The school year has started.  Most of The Natives have started school.  With the start of new things the use of band-aids goes way up.  Levi has a new teacher, new classroom, new classmates and the destruction to his arms and legs begins all over again.

Do you know what it is like to be a parent, a mommy who knows that the outer destruction, the digging and making oneself bleed is because inside the little one is upset?

First day of school.  Levi gets off the bus and is out of sorts.  Very belligerent.  Upset.  There's no reasoning with him when he gets like this.  All systems are shut off and it takes time to help him get things sorted and right again.  He's sitting downstairs in the hall hunched over rocking back and forth crying.  I kneel down next to him and try to talk to him noticing that I need to get enzyme cleaner to clean the carpets as he is wiping blood on them as he digs at his legs and arms.

I can put band-aids all over the sores on my sons legs and arms and I do but man it kills me!   It kills me that I can't take away and heal that which makes Levi get this way in the first place!

I don't really know what the purpose of this blog post is or what I hope to accomplish......  I sent Levi off to school this morning with a prayer in my heart and hope that he'll settle in.  He went to school with a headache and a bit out of sorts.  I gave him medicine to help his head and have kept my phone next to me looking at it often making sure I've not missed a phone call from the school.  Off he went, teeth not brushed and hair not done.  Today's battle was trying to get him to eat his breakfast.

Normally I try to pull up my boot straps and end with some positive insight but today, it is raining outside.  It mirrors what is happening inside.  My heart and eyes are raining for my baby.  My baby that hurts and no band-aid can make it better in this life time.  Thank heavens for our Savior Jesus Christ and that Levi will have the best band-aid for eternity making it all better.  I hold onto this....... but sometimes...... I'd like a quick fix.............

Suck it up lady!

This morning I ran another half marathon.  Going into it, I was nervous because my leg and knee haven't healed all the way from running my marathon earlier this year.  I've continued training knowing this half was coming up but have cut way back babying my knee and leg.

Today dawned bright and early.  Okay.  Not bright.  The sun wasn't up yet as a friend and I headed north to the city of Draper, Utah where we were going to run the half.  I'd coerced my friend into running months ago because let's face it, no one wants to run alone right?

The race began and I was feeling great.  I was running my best yet.  I was so excited.  Mile after mile I was feeling great and my time was my best.  I couldn't wait to get to the finish to see what my end time was going to be!

Mile 7.  Seven is a lucky number for some people.  It wasn't lucky for me today.  My knee went out.  Big time.  I was ticked.  I was angry.  Why??  Why the heck?  At mile 10 while limping along I thought, "I'm sick and tired of having things taken away from me!  I spent almost my entire 30's in bed or on the couch, now that I'm starting to gain some health, my passion for running is being taken from me.  Why?"

Did I mention I was angry?  Because if I didn't, I just want to point out that I was angry.  Very angry.  Then I hit mile 11 and I was ashamed of myself.  What an ungrateful snot!  As I continued limping along I said a prayer and asked for forgiveness.  I'm not paralyzed from my neck down.  I haven't lost any children or my spouse.  How dare I feel sorry for myself!

The last mile went much better with my change of attitude.  It was still dreadfully painful and seemed more like 6 miles instead of 1 mile but my nose was back in joint and does anyone even know what I'm talking about?  The whole, nose out of joint thing............  Anyway, life looks a whole lot better when one focuses on positive things instead of the negative.

I'm sitting here typing this in my recliner.  My leg is propped up on pillows with ice on my knee.  I'll go see the doctor on Monday.  I've done me a good one this time........   Next to me is a beautiful bouquet of white and red roses.  The aroma wafts around me and I am again reminded how blessed I am.  I have a husband, The SM who spoils me rotten and wanted me to know he is proud of me.