Random Thoughts

Oh, dear blog. How I long to post my thoughts in some sort of eloquent story. Alas, a list is all I offer:

• Being a charter school founder and board president pretty much sucks the life out of you.
• I eat when I am stressed or depressed. A lot.
• I am both happy & sad about school starting. I'm happy to see all that we've put into this school come alive. I'm happy that I'll have lots of one-on-one time with my baby girl. I'm sad that I won't have that time with my boy, who will now be gone every week day for almost 8 hours a day. *sigh* *weep*
• My brother & sister-in-law are having a baby boy this December! I am so ecstatically happy for them! Can't wait to start knitting for Josiah Medders!
• I love having my husband home more. He left Starbucks 6 days ago & it's amazing what difference it made in our home.
• I am seriously tempted to take all of my money out of the banks & sock it away under the mattress.
• I love that my daughter can't go to sleep unless I rock or hold her even if for just for a minute.
• I love that my son wants to completely imitate his father.
• It's very late & I should be sleeping.

The Cold From Hell

We are sick. "We," being Owen, Eden and me. Matt has so far avoided this cold from hell, but from the last call I had with him--I'm not sure that will last.

Despite having this diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, and being told from the time he was 2 months old to prepare for the worst--Owen has rarely struggled with illness.

This time has been different. Incredibly different.

His hacking cough is non-stop. He has been coughing now for 6 days. With tears in his eyes last night, he said to me, "Mom, I don't want to cough anymore." My heart shattered. "I know, baby. I know." I rocked him. "It's okay to cry," I said. He coughs hard. He gags from the mucus and coughs. His neck and throat spasm. Lord, have mercy.

At 1 am on Saturday morning I called Children's hospital. "Trust your instincts," the doc says. "That's why I'm calling you at 1 am," I say.

Midday Sunday I call Children's hospital again. This time he says to try the all-feared cough suppressant. (It is of vital importance that CF kids keep coughing to keep the lungs clear.) If nothing else, it will allow us a night of sleep--something we haven't had in several nights.

Now I sit here, waiting for Matt to come home from a late shift (only to turn around to open tomorrow). Owen took the suppressant, but is still hacking--begging me to let him sleep in my bed. I say, "When daddy gets home, just wait, try to rest, you'll be okay." Lord, have mercy.

From the mouths of babes

I could dedicate an entire blog simply to the hilarious sayings of Ms. Eden.

Me: "Eden, would you like toast for breakfast?"

E: "Sure, why not."

Me: "Eden, do you want to watch a movie?"

E: "Sure, why not."

Me: "Kids, go make your beds."

O: "We need help."

Me: "No, I've seen you do it before, and you can do a great job."

O: "Okay, but I'm going to help Eden first."

E: "Oh, dear."

E: (singing) "I know you, I walked wit you one a pond a dream. I know you, your eyes are souf america."

E: (singing) "Happy berday to you. Happy berday to you. Happy berday to you. Happy berday all da way."

O: "Crud"

O: "Oh, crud."

O: "This is cracking me out!"

Me: "Eden, should we buy some apples?"

E: "Sure, why not."

At breakfast...

E: "Thank you for making eggs for breakfast, mom."

Me: "You're welcome."

a few seconds later...

E: "Thank you for making toast. And juice. And vitamins...."

While driving...

E: "Mom, God made the snow, right?"

Me: "Yes, Eden."

O: "And the rain?"

Me: "Yes."

...the conversation continued as the children named everything they saw outside. E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

E: (Randomly, in the middle of the grocery store, in her sweetest--albeit tough-guy italian voice) "ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?!"