{September 29th - October 5th}
Enjoying... coffee out with my sister-in-law Julie where we got to talk about life and support each other. Things have been really heavy as of late, and it's so nice to get out of the house and out of my own head for a while.
Giving... my brother-in-law Samuel a haircut Sunday night. I cut his hair about twice a year and I am always so sad to do it because he has the most beautiful curls. He laughs and says to chop them off. So I do. But I hate to do it.
Thankful... for food from Costco that my mom brought us. And thankful for Josh who picked Wyatt up from Quincy for me. I was additionally grateful that Josh was willing to take Monday off to go in to meet with the principal in charge of juniors to discuss Logan's orbeez gun (also known as a gel blaster) suspension and see if we could get it reduced since he hadn't shot it on campus. His venture was not successful in getting the 15 days reduced, but we were able to make it so he is only home half of that time. The other half he will do in school detention (ISD) which is so much better because then he's not at home doing nothing, enjoying days off.
Sending... the twins out to the land to ride their dirt bikes. They had a great time and I'm glad they have that. Since Jack's depression diagnosis, we are constantly looking for ways to increase his dopamine naturally. Dirt biking is a great way.
Taking... Carly's friend Joslyn to school a little early for her mom who had an appointment out of town, then heading to the dentist with Carly & Wyatt where Wyatt had no cavities and neither did Carly. Hooray! She looked so cute at the dentist, I took a pic of her up on the table and shared it and everyone commented on how much they liked her outfit. It was really sweet. Cute girl!
Blogging... a lot this week to get caught up. Life has been just a blur of activity since school started and I hate being behind. (Of course now- end of November- as I am behind by 8 weeks I am even more anxious to get caught up before Christmas and the new year!
Heading... to the twins' high school after the dentist for a meeting with their school counselor to discuss their class schedules for next semester. She was incredibly helpful and understanding, especially about Jack's depression and suicidality, and she worked literal magic, making their schedules for next semester as many hands-on classes as possible (mechanics, welding, culinary, etc.) and I am so grateful for all the information she gave me on which math classes and science classes they need, as well as how much wiggle room is built into their credits each year. I left that meeting breathing a huge sigh of relief.
Buying... the way into the twins' hearts with Taco Bell. After we left that meeting we got tacos all around and they were so grateful. I appreciated that they were honest about what school is like for them and didn't hold back with the counselor. That helped us get what we needed from her for the last half of the year.
Picking... Carly up early so I could leave her with the twins and take Wyatt to his ADHD appointment. Unfortunately the paperwork his teacher filled out did not give a strong enough impression that he struggles with ADHD for him to be diagnosed from that and my paperwork alone. So we have to meet with another specialist at the clinic who can do further testing.
Most of Wyatt's ADHD shows up at home- time blindness, being messy, trouble with attention to detail, losing things, being overwhelmed by too much to do and difficulty with self organization. Some of those have been a problem at school in the past, but with two and a half years of middle school under his belt, he has adapted and worked around his deficits. On the positive side, his ADHD makes him incredibly creative, an excellent problem solver, able to think outside the box, intuitive and incredibly kind. I just want to get this diagnosis for him so that if someday it becomes a hindrance to him, he can easily access counseling, medication or whatever else he might need to help him work around it.
Getting... Wyatt's thumb checked out after his ADHD appointment to rule out it being broken. He got it jammed when a friend at school threw a basketball that bounced off the top of his thumb. It's been hurting worse everyday and I finally decided he needed to be seen. It was determined that it's just jammed and should heal up in another day or two. Phew!
Subbing... Monday for a full day and a half day Wednesday. I love the days I sub. It feels so good to wake up and get ready for the day and feel like I have purpose. It just makes me all the more sad I didn't get a full time job.
Dropping... Jack off at work since he can't drive (or be) alone until he's been on his antidepressants for two weeks. We also swung by Prissy Pants, which is a tux/suit rental place here in Moses that has been absolutely fantastic to work with. I dropped his suit off to her now that the dance is over and I got to check out her new office space. It's gorgeous and I'm so happy for her!
Feeling... weak with gratitude when Josh went to the grocery store for me so I didn't have to go. Everything, it seems, has gotten harder lately, and life just feels real heavy and busy with all the ADHD appointments, the suspension, the depression and being so damn broke all the time. It's just really hard, so when Josh does me a solid like that, I am so grateful.
Finding... joy in the little things. Glimmers, I've heard them called. The sunrise, a warm shower, going on a walk outside, poetry... Josh has also been trying to find the glimmers, but we agree that we don't love the name. Can you think of a better name for those little bursts of happiness or joy that find you throughout the day? I'd love to hear an alternative name if you've got one.
Trying... a pumpkin spice latte for the first time and feeling it was rather meh. Not the best, not the worst. I think I might like something with a little cold foam better.
Curling... Carly's golden hair for picture day. She's so cute, I can't wait to get the pictures back when they're done!
Making... chicken broth from the bones of the chickens we got from my mother-in-law that he and the twins helped dispatch along with Josh's brother Samuel. The whole house smelled so good while it cooked overnight. I just add in the bones, a ton of water, some parsley, salt & pepper, celery, carrots and an onion. Then I strain it the next day and put it into gallon freezer bags. It's so good in chicken and dumplings or any kind of soup, and makes me feel like I'm giving my family something really healthy that might actually help them heal up if they've been sick.
Thankful... for skateboards and skate shoes for Logan. Mom bought him a skateboard and we bought him new skate shoes and I am so happy for him that he's rediscovered this hobby again. It's so incredibly good for his ADHD and it helps with his sleep and his focus. It's truly win/win!
Loving... that lately the little kids (Wyatt & Carly) have been spending every afternoon outside with the neighbor kids playing. They play sticky ball, basketball, football, chalk, etc. I love all the outside time and fun with neighbors. It makes my mama heart happy.
Hosting... Carly's little friend Kamden for a playdate. She and Kamden have known each other since they were 6 & 7 months old and I love that they are still the sweetest little friends. She and Kamden climbed trees and played outside and then came inside and built legos.
Watching... Love Is Blind (so entertaining!!!) and Gilmore Girls (so comforting).
Reading... very little as I have been struggling with focus since Jack told us he's been struggling with suicidal ideation. I have been reading Halloween picture books with Carly every night and that brings me so much happiness. It's so bittersweet, though, because she's my last little. When she outgrows the picture books, that will be it until (if) I have grandbabies.
Showing... up for life, but barely. I went to drop Wyatt off at school one morning this week wearing my nightgown and bathrobe with my hot pink crocs, hair in a messy bun, and as I walked inside Logan goes, "Wow, mom. That's a lewk." Bahaha! I'm doing the best I can kid. We can't always bring our A game.
Hosting... a family night with Josh's family where his sister Julie made rusty clubs (a Cunningham family favorite) which are a sort of patty made with oatmeal, shredded potatoes and flour, boiled in ham water and eaten with butter. The entire family loves them (but not me or Wyatt) and we had so much fun laughing together. We needed that.
