The dumbest thing I've ever done... to this point.

About three weeks ago...
Mike, a friend from church, asked if I would take a computer for him. He had been working on it for another friend in the ward, Blanca, and we live close to them. So it made sense that we take it and save him an hour-long trip to deliver it. I was busy trying to keep my boys from terrorizing the church so I just gave him my car keys and he put the computer in our trunk. I promptly forgot about the whole thing.

About two weeks ago...
I was cleaning out the trunk of our car. Whenever I clean the house, I take all the things we are getting rid of and put it in the trunk so we can deliver it to someone who would like to have it. We don't have DI (a thrift store that I love) here, so I don't have a quick and easy drop off point. I have to find someone who wants my stuff... or throw it away.

Scott was getting a little tired of having things fall out of our trunk whenever he opened it and was begging me to find homes for the stuff. I decided since I hadn't found homes yet, I would just start throwing stuff away. There were some toys (which had already been through at least two families) that I chucked. The bags of clothes I kept, because I knew on Sunday my friend would take them for me. Then I came across our old computer. These were my thoughts: "Huh, I thought we already got rid of this. I guess it must have only made it this far. No worry, I'll just throw it out." At about this point my landlord came out and offered to take it to the dump for me. "Great!" I thought, Scott is going to be so proud of me for finally getting rid of all of this stuff."

About five days ago...
My friend Blanca called me and asked if she could come pick up her computer. I told her I didn't know where it was. I hadn't seen it in the car and wasn't sure what happened to it. I called Mike and asked him where he had put it and what it looked like. He started to describe it (I don't know why I needed a description) and things started clicking in my mind. It took a full hour for me to figure out that I had sent my friend's computer to the dump.

I think I went through all the phases people go through when they lose a loved one. It finally ended with a gnawing stomach ache and a gut wrenching phone call, followed by more stomach pains. As it turns out, this computer had many many family pictures on it. It still hurts me to think about it.

My friend Ruth, who I vented and cried to about this whole episode, helped me to see some good in this. She said, "two good qualities that you have just worked against each other." So I guess its good that I tried to help Balnca and Mike... and I guess its good that I tried to keep my car clean... I just have to make sure that the combination doesn't get me into trouble next time.

And that... is the dumbest thing I have ever done... to this point in my life.

A conversation with the nurse

I called Jeff's orthopedic surgeon (broken arm doctor) this morning and this is the conversation we had.

Me: Hi, my son got his cast wet last night in the tub and I was wondering if we should get it replaced, or something.

Nurse: Well, how wet did it get?

Me: Uhm... so when I lifted his arm up, water poured out of his cast.

Nurse: Uncontrollable laughter, and more laughter... okay, we can see him tomorrow at 9:45.

I have seriously, had the craziest week! I have another story, that I am still hesitant to tell. It's still a little too fresh. Maybe in a few days. It tops all of the dumb things I have done to this point in my life... and that's saying something.

It continues...

So when I wrote my post yesterday, I thought we were done. I thought I had faced my weakness head on, conquered, and was done. I was wrong.

Last night Jeff still had a fever and was pretty cuddly. He just wanted to be held. So, I picked him up and started walking to his room where we have a rocker. Just before I sat down, Jeff threw up all over me, him, the floor and anything else within five feet. I had to seriously focus. There were two things I had to do. First, I had to not puke too. Second, I had to make sure Jeff didn't feel bad for throwing up on me.

I set him down, took off my outer shirt, and then... he stood there and kept throwing up. He would cry between each time. I found myself patting him on the back telling him, "It's okay, you're almost done. Don't worry, we'll clean it up in a minute" As I rubbed his back and encouraged him I realized, I was doing just what Scott does for me when I get sick.

He is such a good man, and last night I realized just how much he does for me. You see, through all of this, Scott has been away. When I talked to him on the phone he felt so bad. He kept saying, "You shouldn't have to do this alone. I'm so sorry I'm not there."

To be honest, I wasn't alone. Since I couldn't leave the house, but I still needed things for Jeff (like soda and pedialyte), my friend Birgit went to the store for me and picked up the items I needed. Later, my other friends Karen and Bruce called to say there were picking up dinner for me. I feel so blessed.

As a side note, if you have a sick two year old he doesn't quite understand the concept of waiting to throw up in the toilet rather than all over his blankets and bed... you can do what I did last night. I made Jeff's bed in the tub. I know, your thinking... this girl is crazy. But seriously, it was perfect. I didn't have to worry about a thing, just the blankets. He didn't end up throwing up, but if he had... I would have been ready.

I promise, no more puke posts.

Puke

I have always had issues with puke. I just can't handle it. When I had great plans to be a nurse, I knew puke would be my kryptonite. I can't even handle my own puke. Once I start, it grosses me out so much I can't stop. I cry. Scott gets me a wash cloth, and I get through it.

Well, last night Jeff threw up all over. I mean, everywhere! It was 5 a.m. and I was really proud of myself. I didn't even get nauseous. I just took all the blankets and started the laundry, changed Jeff's clothes, and put him back to sleep. Three times. I never once got sick.

Then... as Jeff was sitting on the couch this morning, he started wailing. I grabbed a bowl and sprinted into the living room and held the bowl under his chin. He puked. He had great aim, by the way. He get every drop in the bowl. Then he puked again... and I couldn't take it any more. I started dry heaving and doing everything possible to keep my breakfast down. I conquered all. I kept my cool and didn't join my cute son in his misery. But... I still hate puke.

Sunday and Monday

Sunday the boys all played the piano at the same time. It wasn't all that pretty to hear, but it was cute to look at.
Nate wants to show everyone his helmet. He doesn't mind it too much.

Here's the best family picture we could get, if you saw the rest of the options you would think this looks great!

Jeff Broke his arm on Monday. Scott got a picture showing it off. Interesting story. Scott's dad broke the same arm, in the same place, at the same age, doing the same thing. Climbing. I thought this might teach Jeff not to climb as much, but before he even got his cast on at the Doc's office, he was climbing around checking things out.

Nate is starting to learn to crawl. He does a little worm move that is just too cute.

Jeff and Nate show off the cast and the helmet. We are such good parents. :)

Jeff loves to get his picture taken, he wanted another one this morning of his cast. When we talk to people on the phone he says, "A fall a arm a broke."

Jeff and Scott have cutest cheese faces! I love it!

Mother of the year

So, this post is to let you know that I am a candidate for "Mother of the year" and I just wanted to let everyone know as well as give them a taste of the day in the life of me so they can vote with a good conscience.

Today, like any good mother I changed my 2 year old's poopy diaper. He wanted a bath since he was half naked so I continued to be a good mother and went in an started the water and added the bubble making stuff too. Because I'm a good mother like that.

...

Later that day I was sitting in my room when I heard my 7 month old, who was playing on the floor in the living room, whine a little bit. Being a good mother, I resisted the urge to jump up and run in a check on him. Instead, I let him have a few moments, so he will be a well adjusted kid when he grows up. After letting him fuss for just a little bit, I went in to check on him.

I found my baby playing in my 2 year old's poopy diaper that I had left on the floor earlier. It wasn't just left there open and gross, it was all wrapped up tightly, but that baby got curious. He had poop on all of his clothes, all over his face, on his pacifier, on his hands, in his mouth... everywhere. I was completely disgusted, not so much by the fact that there was poop all over my baby, but by the fact that I had let my baby get into a poopy diaper.

I promptly gave him a bath, washed out his mouth with soap (even though he didn't say any bad words), and hoped he didn't ingest anything. And then I blogged about it, becuase that is what good mothers do.

Now that my friends, is why you should vote, for Sadie Goddard, as "Mother of the Year!"

At a loss for words

I have written two posts to put up, then deleted both of them. On purpose. I'm not sure why. I just didn't think they were post-worthy... but that has never stopped me in the past. I am rarely at a loss for words, but here I find myself... with nothing to say.

Just so checking my blog wasn't a complete waste of time, here's an update on the boys:

Jeff- Dresses himself most days, including shoes and socks. He is getting excited for spring. I let him run around in the yard a few days ago because it was so warm and he was in heaven. He is talking better everyday. My favorite thing he has been saying lately... "Mom, baby is cute". He says this after he has been making funny faces to get Nate to laugh. Its great to watch.

Nate- Wakes up at the same time as Jeff, because he has no choice. Jeff crawls in his crib and starts playing with him. Nate wears his helmet still and he is making great progress on getting a round head. He also loves bath time and will splash and kick and giggle so much that Jeff wont take baths with him because he doesn't like to get water in his face.

Scott- Works like crazy. He wakes up at 5:30 a.m. so he can catch the 6 a.m. train so I can have the car to go to the gym, even though he would much rather drive. He stops at the gym on the way to work and gets in his workout and shower. Fitness is one of our big goals. He also has all kinds of fun with the boys when he is home.

25 random things you never cared to know about me...

1. I have a black patch of hair that I have had all my life on the right side of my head.
2. When I was little my brother convinced me that eating ants was cool, and I ate them often.
3. I was a firefighter for two summers to help pay for college.
4. I'm so afraid of the dark and being alone that later this week while Scott is gone to winter Scout camp, I will be having a young woman from the ward over to babysit ME.
5. I ate a live grasshopper once to show my nephew that I was cool. We made a club.
6. I've always wanted my second toe to be longer than my first because I think it is cute. Scott has that feature, but sadly he has only passed it on to one of our sons.
7. I'm picky about how my towels are folded... thanks mom.
8. My brother (same one, I looked up to him) also convinced me that I shouldn't shave my legs till he got home from his mission. I didn't. When he got back he convinced me to still refrain. I was 15 when I first shaved my legs.
9. I used to sit in the front seat of the bus so I could talk to my bus driver all the way to school. Looking back, I'm not sure if she enjoyed it as much as I did.
10. I threw up in my in-laws sink the first time I met them. Then when I tried to clean things up, I broke the sink.
11. I'm extremely ticklish and become violent to the point of hurting loved ones if I can't get away while being tickled.
12. My nostrils are different shapes.
13. I couldn't eat subway for about 10 years of my life because I got sick once after eating it. Even seeing the Subway sign would make me nauseous. We're friends again.
14. I remember when I was 15 years old meeting with my Bishop and crying to him. My concern... that I was never going to get married. He laughed and sent me on my way.
15. When my husband proposed, I thought the ring was fake. It isn't.
16. The thing I cried about most in high school was losing basketball games.
17. When I was little, I used to bite my toenails. I would deny it, but my family has video proof.
18. For the first 12 years of my life, my hair looked like a mushroom.
19. In the 5th grade I got mad at a girl and punched her in the eye. She wouldn't let me play soccer with my other friend, Amie.
20. The only other time I have ever come close to getting into a fist fight was when I worked with at-risk-youth. Scott had to tell me to go to my room and chill out. I'm better with my temper now.
21. I have and on-and-off relationship with chicken and ground beef. At times it grosses me out and I can't eat it. I always love steak, our relationship will last forever.
22. I hate shopping. It probably stems from the time I was shopping with my mom the day before school started. I was swinging on an empty rack, fell over, broke my finger, and had to get stitches. I also missed the first day of school.
23. I always thought holding hands was uncomfortable until I met Scott. Somehow our hands just fit, and I liked it.
24. I could eat cereal for every meal, except Scott made me promise I wouldn't eat it after 10 a.m.
25. I've always thought I was really strong/tough. I've finally come to grips with the fact that I may not be. Now I work out so I can be.