much ado

First, the Halloweeny treat that I mention below: 

 Jello Popcorn

one huge bowl popped popcorn (I used airpopped, but 2-3 bags of microwave would do it)
1 cup light Karo syrup (Lonica called for twice as much but that's what I had on hand)
2 cups sugar
1 large box of Jello (I used lime for green popcorn)
4 tablespoons Butter (optional)



In a sauce pan over medium heat, combine corn syrup, sugar, and jello. Stir until everything is dissolved and bubbly (about 90 seconds of a full rolling boil, stirring constantly). Stir in the butter, if desired. Pour over the popped corn and stir quickly to combine. Enjoy! Spread on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper.  Bake 10 minutes at 350.  Remove from oven and stir.  As it cools, it will become crunchy. 

Big news for Zaylee.  She's scheduled for November 9th to have her tonsils and adnoids removed and tubes put in her ears.  It will be a lifechanging event for Zaylee because since the day she was born, she has struggled to breathe.  She'd nurse two gulps then take a huge gasp then gulp gulp gasp.   And she still does this.  And we won't even mention her snoring.  Let's just say that when she sleeps over at Grammie and Grampie's, she gets her own room.  SO.  She's scheduled for the 9th and if he has a cancellation, it will be the 2nd.  I'm praying for the 2nd because I have a wedding to prepare for on the 18th and she will be coming home to Grammie's from the hospital to recover for a the first week or so, since Kelly works every day.  YIKES! 

This all means that I'm going to try to get everything possible done for the wedding next week and be totally ready, then I can focus on Zaylee. 

Also another big change.  I've agreed to start tending Zaylee four days a week while Kelly's working.  This is going to mean a huge change in our family life.   I can still go and do my own thing in the mornings but I'll be home with her in the afternoons and evenings. I'm always home when the babes get home from school and Wednesday evening is the only night that it will tie me down.  I've been feeling strongly that I need to do this for a few months and the feeling gets stronger and stronger, so I know it's time.  Double YIKES!

The girls had their piano lesson/party this afternoon and went as witches.  They were quite excited about their very simple costumes.   It was a crazy day and in the middle of it, I had about a 60 second meltdown. Today went like this:

• 12:15 AM ~ I went to bed
• 3:55 ~ Doug's alarm went off
• 4:30 ~ He kissed me goodbye and I went back to sleep
• 5:55 ~ got up to get Quayd and Gracie off to school
• 7:00 ~ went back to bed for a catnap
• 7:30 ~ up again to get ZJ up and going, shower and get ready myself
• 8:30 ~ talked with Kelly to co-ordinate Zaylee's ENT appointment
• 9:15 ~ picked up Zaylee because Kelly was double booked
• 9:30 ~ short stop at Denise's to plan our day
• 10:00 ~ Doctor appointment, Kelly joined us just before the doctor came into the exam room.  Picked up some things for the bridal shower
• 11:30 ~ Met Denise at Chili's, a VERY fun lunch with the Regional Manager of Chili's treating us to some fun new menu items.  Discussed the details of the two parties I'm hosting later this week, upcoming events, Zaylee, and worked myself up a good knot in the tummy.
• 1:00 ~ Best Buy stop at the Geek Squad for a quick electronic rescue
• 1:30 ~ Hobby Lobby ~ stopped to pick up some pre-ordered stuff for the wedding, the person paged to bring it out never came, so I left without it.  GRRRR.
• 2:00 ~ Home and got busy to work on simple witch costumes for the girls, checked on Doug's mom who's still recovering from her new knee, read email from teachers about assignments that must be completed and turned in before the end of the quarter on Friday
• 2:45 ~ helped Gracie with hair, makeup and costume for the party
• 2:50 ~ Gracie informed me that I needed to make a treat for Young Women's tonight
• 3:00 ~ taught Quayd how to work the newly Geek Squad rescued electronic
• 3:15 ~ Quayd informed me that he needed treats tonight for Young Men's activity
• 3:30 ~ Doug came in from work, we discussed Zaylee's health and my tending her options
• 3:40  ~ reminded Grace of the big assignment that must be completed.  helped ZJ with hair and makeup for costume party
• 3:45 ~ Felt overwhelmed for about two minutes.  Started to cry.  Needed a walk, some fresh air, and a moment to myself.  Got a hug from Doug instead.  It helped.  Immensely.
• 4:00 ~ sent the girls off. talked with a friend on phone while making treats for the youth activities instead.  It helped.  Immensely.
• 5:00 ~ started Taco Soup for dinner, cleaned up the treat mess, sent the girls down to mom's with a bowl of the Lime popcorn
  6:00 ~ ate a nummy dinner with the family, helped ZJ clean the kitchen, Liza called to hear the news about Zaylee. 
• 7:00 ~ sent Quayd and Grace off to church and took a deep breath!  Visited with ZJ while starting four loads of laundry
• 8:00 ~ Watched Dancing with the Stars while doing laundry and while visiting with ZJ about her day
• 9:00 ~ Got Doug and the babes in bed, went over "to do" lists for the rest of the week and finished up four loads of laundry
• 12PM... it's bedtime again

It was "one of those days".   CRAZY Busy.  Big decisions to be made.  Tons to do.  And at one point, it all caught up with me.  Seriously.  It lasted about two minutes.  Doug who'd just walked into the kitchen, noticed that I was teary-eyed.  He dropped everything, gave me a hug and just held me for a moment.  I'd been feeling overwhelmed from all the "I needs" and and my own high expectations of the day.  I was craving a nice long walk, but the phone rang and the walk never came.  Happily, Doug's open arms were all I needed.

The next three days don't look to be any less insane.  All self-inflicted, so no complaints at all.  I can hardly wait for the upcoming events of the next few weeks! This is my favorite time of year and having tons to do makes me happy.  As I was folding laundry a few minutes ago, it hit me, once again...it never ceases to amaze me that something as simple as a hug, a phone call from a friend, a little "thank you" can make all the difference in the world at "just the right moment". I was overwhelmed.  Doug's hug made it all better.  Here's what really struck me tonight... we just never know when the right moment will be, so we should take advantage of every moment possible to give that little boost to those around us!  Enough said.

Live life out loud and with purpose.

Comments

[Trish A]

Your girls looked adorable yesterday. I peeked in for a sec to see the cute costumes:) It sure sounded like they were having fun. Thank you for posting your stress moments. It makes me feel more "normal" except for the fact that I only do a fraction of what you do. You are so busy and yet you are so willing to help others. Spending time with your children and helping others....you have your priorities straight! I too will begin to watch a grandbaby in the spring and it is something I KNOW I need to do but am worried about how to fit it all in....thanks for being an example!

[audra]

It's so nice to have husbands to vent to and that have a shoulder to cry on. I had a break down the other night. Some times it just has to come out. It's like a pressure cooker. But then we dry our tears and move on.
You forgot to mention that you left the sweetest message about my baby girl. After all the stuff you went thru, you still took time to leave a comment. That means the world to me. YOU are probably one of the most selfless people on this planet. Always looking out for others and doing for them.
I'm glad that Kelly has you to help her out. In more ways than one...
I'm also glad that you have reunited with your dad again.Life is to short to hold grudges, and I"m glad you got it fixed before it was to late.
hope you have a calmer day today and can enjoy being YOU.

[Katie]

Sophia- I feel you in so many ways. We have high expectations for ourselves. You are amazing- don't fool yourself. I know what you mean about that NEED to watch Zaylee. That is how I have felt about Ava- so I do it. I love her and I love Julie- it is family. I had the same day yesterday and I was so glad when Ryan walked in and just hugged me. I lost Cannon- he can just walk out the door and walks straight to the park in less than a minute. It was awful. The surgery will be amazing. My oldest three have had it done by the age of two. It was life changing for all of them. The younger the better. They heal so much quicker. Cooper was jumping from couch to couch 4 hours after his surgery. She will do great! She is blessed to have you- they all are!