It's only a number?!

So, what's with birthdays that cause us to think about where we have been and where we are going? Now that the dreaded birthday has actually come and gone (can we say one more year closer to 40?) I actually feel okay. I am sort of surprised by that. I think I expected to feel older, old even.

Since I have had a few hours to calm down, relax, and settle back into life as I know it--I have been thinking about starting a new blog again. Not a write about my life blog, but a spiritual/devotional/seeking/Christian woman type blog. Maybe its because I have more time and space in my brain since ladies' camp is over (it went really well by the way), or maybe its because I am older and seeking a purpose to life beyond motherhood. Who knows? I am really mulling it over, even considering having a professional build me a website. We'll see.

All of this has lead me to think about my "family." Had a great visit with my mother. Yes, there were several moments of us driving each other crazy. But I think we remain grateful for the relationship that we have. It is something that she doesn't share with my siblings. It also gave me some insight (possibly) into my siblings' relationship with her.

I was looking through FB last night and came across one of my sister's profiles. I was looking at her albums and I realized that I don't even know her. Her life is totally foreign to me. As foreign as I am sure my life is to her. I was looking at her friends and thought--I bet they don't even know I exist. I bet they don't know that my sister has a bi-racial, adopted, niece and nephew.

Then I got sort of sad, although not surprised, that I didn't even get a card from either sister or my brother this year--for my birthday, last week. No phone call. Not even a message on FB. Usually that would make me really sad. I have a whole card mission and I try to send them out every month, even if I am running late. It is important to me to keep in touch, on whatever superficial level I am allowed to interact with my sibs. What I realize with each passing year is that I am not so important to them--especially my one sister.

Over the years I have been tempted to just say out loud to her--you know, let's just stop pretending to be sisters. But then I think why stir the pot? What I discovered the other day, while looking at her FB profile, is--I don't really care if she knows me or not. Is that sad?

At what point do we just move on, grow into our own person-hood and cease to be affected by others? Even others who are part of our own family? Maybe I am finally growing a thick skin or just learning to love who I am in Christ, in my family, in my church, etc. That would be nice. That is what I would like to learn to focus on.

Enough pondering this morning. I am so happy to be home. I have so much housework to do. The kids are attempting to settle back into normal life. Smells like dog pee in the hallway--I think if that dog is going to get potty trained it will be up to me. DH is totally irresponsible. So, life goes on. Who has time to worry about stupid things like birthday cards?

I just hope that our little family will remain closer than my family of origin. I hope and pray that our children grow up to love each other and to love us in a way that sustains us as a family. That is my goal.

Is it over yet? Emergency Prayers...

This morning it seems we have begun the final descent into hell. DH was supposed to be watching the kids, along with both of their grandmothers, their grandfather and Auntie Liz. It seemed simple enough. For three weeks I have listened to my mother talk about the dangers of kids getting into old people's meds. So, after a breakfast, Mom comes back into the dining room to say that her door was open, her pills were out and her blood pressure pill was missing. Yay!

Then DH says, "oh, that may have been what Bubba was eating a while ago." So, while the adults sat around and talked about the stupidity of the whole thing, I screamed "if you think he ate a pill--he we need to be calling an ambulance!" Jesus Christ! Pardon, my French, do you ever feel like the only sane person in the room?

I was still not dressed, so Granny and DH took Bubba off to the med center. Just got a call that the ambulance is taking him to the hospital for observation. I have to get dressed and go deal with my in-laws.

I am so ready for this holiday to be over with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things are looking up

DH doing the haka at Waitangi

Me outside the chapel at the museum

Me in the women's jail

Bubba and Cupcake in the water at Ruakaka beach

Ready for a day of sightseeing

Things are looking up. Most of us are feeling better. DH is sick now. We are all getting along today. I have gotten some laundry done and all of the cameras uploaded. Yay.

This afternoon we are going out to pick-up a few more things for Ladies' Camp. We are getting excited about Friday coming! Even I am excited. I've had a few hours alone today, while the others are at church. This was a much needed rest and alone time--with the kids of course--it has been awesome!

I have gained back most of what I lost last week. Yuck! I feel fatter than ever, which is funny, because I am still down over 30 lbs from my heaviest. The weight I am now has been my "normal" weight for years. I just don't want it to be "normal" any more. Did get my thyroid tested on Thursday--still waiting on the results. Maybe, I will call today.

I don't know much more. Hopefully, I will have some time to debrief later.

Sick

I am so sick. I have a horrible cold, sinus infection, and my bladder infection is back. I feel like total doggie doo (as Bubba says). Mom's friend is sick. Mom is feeling a scratchy throat. I don't want to do anything accept go back to bed, but I can't because we have to go sight seeing. Yay!

Not sure how others cope with loads of extra women in the house, but it makes me crazy! I can't find anything. So far we have lost the lid to my formula carrier and the screw top to one of Bubba's bottles. I managed to make an international move and live here 18 mos without losing either thing--but now they are gone. Oh, two of Bubba's bottles are also missing.

We've had french toast again for breakfast. Mom made it. Very yummy, but not good for my diet. It's so funny how parents can carry on about wanting DH and I to lose weight. Then whenever our parents are around they are constantly offering up things like cakes, cookies, and french toast. Great way to gain weight not lose weight.

What I need is about 10 hours in my room--alone! Yikes.

"Other than that Mrs. Lincoln how did you enjoy the play?" Sorry. It is lovely to have Granny here. The kids love her so much. And even though they are full of beans at the moment--you know that, there is someone else in the house to show off for thing--they are so happy. The weather has been very nice and all-in-all a good visit.

More later, if I have time. Hope I don't get caught blogging.

Saturday

After a long night, Cupcake was up 4 times, but Bubba finally slept the whole night--the kids let us sleep-in this morning. It was almost 8 am. That is unheard of in our house. Throws my schedule off a bit, but not too badly. It's now 11:24 am and they are snug in their nap time beds.

So far this morning I have finished the guest room, organized that closet, and made that bed. DH is cleaning out the car only to discover that the can of red paint we have been hauling around for months (to get it matched to do one more coat on the dining table) had finally leaked in the front floor board. I had to help him clean it up with mineral spirits. Fun-fun! We needed one more thing to do today. That always happens to us. Now he is vacuuming and will shampoo the red spots.

He is going to finish his sermon while the kids are sleeping. I am going to do the kitchen, including the fridge. But right now I am enjoying a cup of hot tea, while watching the "Long, Long Trailer" on DVD. It's one of my favourite movies of all time. Lucy and Desi in case you were wondering.

Tomorrow is: me working in the nursery, DH preaching both services, women's ministry meeting after the first service (with no sitter, because DH is preaching), followed by a luncheon. We are packing the car and the trailer tonight so we can leave from church tomorrow. We hope to get to Auckland around 4 pm. We have to pick-up Bubba's new (to him) trike and check-in to the hotel. Our plan was to go to the zoo, but I don't think we will have time. Besides everyone will be exhausted after tomorrow morning.

Granny's flight arrives at 5:25 am. So, DH and I will get up early. He'll go pick her and her friend up and bring them back to the hotel. Where I will feed them breakfast. I am taking some biscuits (scones for those of you down here), bacon, eggs, and cheese. That will be better than McDonalds. We don't have to check-out until 10 am. So Granny and Liz can take a shower or rest until we head home. It is a 2.5 hour drive, over the mountains, on a two lane winding road. It will be so nice to get home to a clean house with all of the laundry done! Yay!

Okay, break time is over. More pictures later.

Sneezing

Whew, I don't know what blew in night before last, but we are all sneezing today. Poor Bubba has a double barrel runny nose, but it doesn't seem to bother him too much. Cupcake is coughing. It's some allergy that is making us all sneeze and tickly throats. Oh well--other than that it is a beautiful day!

I got quite a bit done yesterday, but I have so much more to do today to get ready for Granny! Only four more days until my Mom is here from America. We are so blessed that she has the money, the time, and the energy to come visit us. We were doubly blessed last year because my best friend came over from Texas too--that was so special. Who needs to go home? We'll just set-up a Bed and Breakfast for our American visitors. That would be awesome!

Anyway, Ladies' Camp meeting last night was so much fun. Yes, I said it. It was FUN! We got a lot accomplished, we laughed a lot, and are really starting to enjoy each other's company. I think this camp is going to be awesome! I might even consider planning it again next year (somebody shoot me before I say that out loud--Ha!).

This week has also been good for my diet. I have lost 2 lbs or .9 kg in 3 days! Yay! Yay! I am so happy to see the scale moving in the right direction.

More later--I can hear DH having a melt down out there. I better go check on him.