Finally Home, New Car, Sick Kids

This past summer has been a whirl wind. It reminded me of one of my favorite roller coaster rides at Knott's Berry Farm, Montezooma's Revenge. A whole lot of, adrenaline racing, back and forth, upside down, full of exciting fun and stressed out adventures.

It was three months living away from home in furnished apartments and trying to keep up with friends and family, my husband's internship at the Public Defenders Office and trying to keep some normalcy in our lives. I really am not sure if we truly achieved all of that. However, it feels like we sure gave it a good try and it was worth all the ups and downs. 

This is a summer our little family will never forget. Well, perhaps Hailey, she is nearly 8 mos and will not have these memories, but I digress.

Our car, our beloved Isuzu Trooper V8, 4WD gas hog, that has brought our family all over the Northwest in good and hellacious weather, is no more. Last summer we dropped in a new engine, when the transmission and alternator started acting up, my father in law looked at me, and said, it was time to get a more reliable car. Yes indeed it was time. 

So yes we now have a more fuel efficient, Eco friendly V6 4WD RAV4. With this car being more streamline and smaller in the back, it was more difficult packing stuff to return home. 

That was a whole other adventure and everyone involved is still amazed at what we achieved! Yes my in laws did follow us back up as they follow us back down with a load of stuff in the gigantic Suburban. That vehicle made our Trooper look like a speck of a car next to it!

Being back home is nice but also hectic. Kyle unfortunately, got a virus, from the swimming pool at the YMCA, he went to for Day Camp, (mind you the week and a half before we was out sick with hand, foot and mouth disease he caught from some kids there).

Having a whining, sick, tired child with a stomach ache, vomiting and diarrhea is frazzling to say the least. At first you are confused, wondering why your child is so sick and full of worry and concern. Then your motherly instincts kick into full gear and you do all you can to comfort and nurse your child back to health. 

However, your child is not getting well within 24 or even 48 hours and since this is viral, you have only so much you can to to help your child. 

Your beautiful child is becoming restless, tired, and frustrated with being sick. That pleasant and respectful attitude you are so use to has been replaced by whining, snarling, frowning, mini monster, that is grating on your nerves. You find yourself looking for opportunities to get out of the house alone, even for 15 minutes.

Well for myself this has been my nightmare with maybe a 5 or 6 day break of both kids being sick free. I would say I have gained a few gray hairs, however my recent dye job is covering them up, so I am unable to honestly tell. I have been sleep deprived. It is so bad, that I know as soon as I lay down either the baby or lil dude will need me to get up for them that I am falling asleep while sitting up in bed. Don't even ask how that is affecting my neck.

(see I got new glasses! oh yeah I am styling now!)

I had hoped to get a lot of unpacking done and start a lot of prepping stuff for the fall and planning my strategy to de-clutter things around here, (remove old toys and clothes and things we no longer need or use). 

None of my grand plans have come to fruitation. I have avoided making things worse, by cooking a lot in the crock pot and using paper plates and bowls. I hate not having room to put in a dish washer. It's even worse when you are so worn out, to do a ton of dishes you must resort to such tactics, that are not so environmentally sound.

I am glad my husband has been home this week, helping out.  He has been unpacking, cleaning and taking care of the kids.  Without him as a partner, I would be buried in a bigger mess and in need of a straight jacket!