Holiday Boutique {Weekend Recap}

I'm really behind on blogging life. Much has happened {including a fabulous two weekends ago that will make it up here someday soon}. Over this past weekend, I participated in my very first craft selling boutique. It was also the weekend of an amazing block birthday party that included a whole roasted pig, jump house, and beer on tap. Annnnnd the stomach flu for the boys. Seriously, never a dull moment.

I had several reinforcements throughout the weekend to help: my mom, dad, and neighbor {who sold some cards too}. W stopped by throughout the weekend to bring me things I had forgotten at home, feed me, or take/bring back V. I'm so glad it happened so close to home.

My table neighbors were fabulous and sweet. Of course, Juju was the highlight for everyone. If I came without her, everyone would ask where she was. I was never short of arms to hold her while I ran to the bathroom, ate lunch, or needed to sit. It really was a blessing to have so many sweet and gracious women around. 

Another highlight was meeting and exceeding my costs for the experience. Meeting cost was the goal I set out for myself since I had no clue what to expect. I was so excited to get two custom orders while there too. One for a bridal shower that was happening Sunday afternoon. I made it over the night and she picked it up on Sunday morning. 

On the flip side, I seemed to have brought the majority of my traffic. Most of those that purchased from me, I already knew. So I'm not sure if I really needed the boutique other than to have a place to set up shop. I also had plenty of inquiries from strangers on whether I had an online shop. Still have my work cut out for me.  I had a blast, loved trying it out, but with a full weekend away from my family, I'm not sure if I'll do it again. Perhaps, I'll do a virtual store-front first?! 

A GIANT thank you for everyone who encouraged from both near and far. And to my family who supported me through time and energy! This was certainly NOT a one-woman show. ;)

Lately...

Last week I got the stomach flu and laid in bed the entire following day. Bleh. We missed out on some fun activities like family dinner, the boys going to the fair with my parents, and a girls' night out. It also was a bummer because I had finally found a happy groove with the kids. Like, we may have caught a glimpse at a new normal and been enjoying it when bam! I'm laid up in bed. Isn't that the way of life at this stage?!

So, we're picking up where we left off this week. We seem to have a routine. We have finally weaned from screen time except for our movie day. Only took like 4 months to have a little more cushion when handling three on a daily basis. I feel frantic less often even though I'm still not getting stellar sleep. I'm still on two cups of coffee, but by God's grace, I'm quicker at extending love and patience to the needs that arise. Have I arrived?! Certainly not, but I'm happy to report progress. :) Less survival mode and more embracing the day.

My phone has also taken a turn for the worst. Apparently, one drop too many and it can't hold a good internet connection. And I refuse to pay for more data. So in addition to my self-imposed limiting, my phone is basically making it much more possible to stay off of social media. And connect with real life.

And we've jumped on the Downton Abbey bandwagon finally. I knew from its genre that it was only a matter of time. With our few other shows on break, it was a good time to try out the first seasons. Such good entertainment.

So this summer I'm taking a free pass. Beyond a few fun weekends, we don't have much of anything planned. We even opted out of family camp this year because it just would have been too hard. So, the summer bucket list will have to wait until next year--when the boys are just a bit older and more independent. We'll enjoy a few traditions, but otherwise, it'll be lots of pool time, castlewood time and sticking close to home.

Roadtrip with the motorycle crew next summer, right, gparents?!? ;)

Weekend Recap

Our weekend was another full one. Quite a smorgasbord of this and that.

 Saturday morning we were up and out fairly early for us {8:30}. W's really on this running kick. It's great. I wish I was more motivated to join him more often. He did his laps with the boys while I did a grocery run. Then we met back up and played at the park. Afternoon was spent de-cluttering our garage. I got rid of one more teacher box! Small successes!! I also found some great old photos.

Each of our senior years

Erin & I

I also prepped a lot of salad to bring to our dinner gathering. Except right as we were heading out the door, without warning, E tossed his cookies. First time, poor little guy. So instead we cuddled, read books, and hugged Benny the Bucket {as we lovingly named him} for the next two hours. Plan B for the evening turned into wine, take-out, and a redbox.

E woke up dancing to his music {W's figured out how to set an alarm to play music on E's ipod/sound machine so he stays in his room until it goes off} and was fit as a fiddle. Off to church we went.

The rest of the day was dedicated to wedding crafts. A friend of ours is getting married in 1.5 months and she's doing it entirely on her own. As much as I like seeing finished products about our home, I really love having the opportunity of blessing others. We're hoping to make her outdoor wedding classy, but without the typical price tag. We conquered her card crate and half the favors. The boys did a great job making the new crate look rustic, don't ya think??

Next weekend, we're tackling center pieces and details for the other tables. Somewhere in this mix, I need to start planning another girlfriend's shower.  Weekend time is sure filling up fast!

Our Weekend {Sponsored By RSV}

So, we had quite a weekend thanks to a cold virus known as RSV. What seemed like a little runny nose turned much worse and I took the boys to the Dr.'s Friday morning. Both had great oxygen scores, but E's was definitely labored. And both were wheezy.Out of {what seemed like} left field, the dr. asked for x rays to check for pneumonia for E. There were trace amounts and we were set up for a return appt the next day.

{napping before x-rays, x-rays with apron to protect vital parts, breathing treatments in the hospital and at home}

Fast forward to 2:30am. I was doing a routine breathing check because I still become that paranoid mom when something happens/may happen/might happen/has been suggested to happen {you get the point}. When I checked in on E, he was awake, had a troubled demeanor, and his sweet little chest was moving so.fast. Long story short, we all ended up at the ER..with both boys admitted for troubles breathing. Their oxygen levels were still fine, and we probably could have waited until our morning appt. But I don't have an oxygen-checker machine thingy at home and they just sounded so awful.

We left around 11am with some meds and a nebulizer. Once home, it was a family shower to get rid of all the hospital nasties, pjs, and delivery pizza. W moved our TV up into our room so we could all fit in our bed to veg. I think just in those days alone, we watched enough movies to make up for the fact we don't have even basic TV. The next few nights were just as hard.

I feel like we're finally seeing the end of the tunnel just in the last day or so. E is no longer on breathing treatments and is almost done with his last med. He's back to sleeping through the night too. He just can't really do anything too active or a coughing fit with start. Which seems to confirm our suspicions of asthma. He's always seemed a bit wheezy after exercise. I'm still not completely confident that Theo is out of the woods just yet, but I'm being conservative with him because he's so small. His case has seemed less dramatic an he's already sounded much better. The wheezing is gone.

W's firm was so understanding and let him spend Saturday with us. Sounds like many of the staff have gone through the same when their kids were small. Even though it was definitely nerve-racking and a tiring few days, I loved having W for two weekend days. Forgot what that was like. ;) I'm still in awe of my grandparents generation who did this on a regular basis! It was also great to have family bonding time all snuggled in bed. And somehow Theo was all smiles, even in the ER. The ER Pedi said he was the happiest RSV baby she's ever seen. This past weekend was definitely one for the memory book.

Stomach Flu {Longest Week of My Life}

Got it on Tuesday. And it was gnarly. Seriously put me under for the rest of the week.

My mom took E the following day and I seriously didn't leave my bed except to change Theo's diaper and to replenish my drinks. 

My only company:

Half on me was so worried that he'd get it but the other half half really enjoyed the snuggles. It was wonderful to sleep, rest, and have quiet.

A girlfriend made us dinner, brought it over and took the pups out before leaving. Seriously, heaven-sent. My mom brought Ezra back right before bed. She took Theo then bathed E and got him ready for bed right as W was getting home. Baton pass. W takes over. I hadn't moved from bed. I was so tired and weak.

I somehow make it through the next day without help. Although all I wanted to do was to crawl back into bed. I found out E has a superpower. My toddler's superpower? Sensing Mama's weakness and taking advantage. We needed intervention, but I didn't want it to be in the form of the boob-tube. So by Friday afternoon, I'm calling my parents and carting all three of us over until W finishes up at work. It was also the first day I could finally get three whole meals inside my stomach and get myself dressed.

It's been at least five years since I've had something like this. Not pretty with two kids who still need a lot from Mama. What a start to the year and to W's busy season. Yeesh.

Sick at Home

Today I decided to call a sub. Last night, over at my parents', I got this monster headache. I get them somewhat often during the school year from exhaustion, lack of sleep or caffeine, or from stress/tension. And it usually happens in the afternoon, right after school. Well I thought that this was another one and that I could sleep it off. Unfortunately, that's not what happened. I woke up to it this morning. It's all around my head and I couldn't really walk around or even bend down without the pounding. I don't think I've had a headache that's lasted this long and strong before. I definitely don't like it!! 

Two Excedrin and a glass of water later: I'm at home trying to rest and hopefully catching up on grading. Not really a fun time. I hope it goes away soon! The "So You Think You Can Dance" concert is tonight & there's NO way I'm missing that! Rest now, play later tonight. Fingers Crossed!