Sometimes I Write

I was born exactly 33 years and 13 minutes ago, at Camp Pendleton in sunny California to hippie military parents. 🙂 (yeah, they’ll love reading that-oxymoron and all) What a life I’ve had so far! I know where I come from and I know where I’m going. I think that’s something to be proud of! Life has been funny, sad, horrific, and joyful…and that’s just today!

Benny and Max left for TX early this morning. I thought I’d get to blog a bit before the other kids woke up, but 30 minutes after they left, I heard Petey (17 mos. old) in the livingroom. I walked out there to get him and there he stood with his finger up his nose. He saw me and said “booger” and tried to show me his finger. (gross – thanks for making me a boy mom, God!) He said “yuuuuucky!” to which I agreed and got him a tissue. We cuddled for a bit on the couch then Zoe joined us and we had breakfast. I had Pete desensitized to some allergens this week, so I gave him a little bit of milk on his corn chex – the only cereal he’s NOT allergic to. Within minutes he was breaking out in hives all over his body. UGH!!! The milk desensitization did NOT work. Good thing I own stock in Benadryl! 😉 jk.

I cleaned all morning which I didn’t think was fair since it was my birthday. Somebody had to do it. (martyr sigh) I decided to take the kids outside for awhile before the temp reached 130 or whatever it was today. I cleaned on the patio while they played with sandbox sand we had brought home from a camp activity. We have no sandbox so I poured it into a shallow tub. A few minutes later I heard a strange noise behind me and turned around to see Petey choking. He had poured a cup full of play sand down his throat and couldn’t breathe. There was no sound of moving air, just him frantically wiping his tongue- which wasn’t working. Play sand does not get slimy like regular dirt. It expands and clumps up. I grabbed him and stuck my finger down his throat to scoop out whatever I could. There was A LOT of sand in that tiny space, and he was turning purple! I repeated it until he could breathe again and throw up on me. I grabbed a bottle of water and dumped some in his mouth. I knew it would choke him a bit, but my goal was to get the airway clear all the way and choking/spitting seems to help that sometimes. I got his mouth cleaned out and had him drink the water. He didn’t even cry! After he was o.k. he looked at me and said, “yucky!” I almost cried. Did I mention that Zoe was oblivious to the whole episode? That means if I hadn’t been standing right there, he would have died. Even if Zoe had been paying attention, what’s a 2 1/2 year old going to do? I’m very surprised at how calm I remained during the whole thing. Now retelling it, I’m a bit shaky. A friend called a few minutes later and I couldn’t even bring myself to tell him what had just happened. Temporary shock I guess. I called Benny right after that and told him I’m not letting Petey out of my sight again until he’s 21. Choking shouldn’t be a problem by then.

One of the DB interns, Tricia, came over to spend the afternoon with us since it was her day off. I got to slip away by myself for an hour which was a nice treat. We had a good talk before I left and discovered that we both went to York, though she’s a senior at ACU this year, and I graduated 13 years ago. (us Yorkies are everywhere)

Tricia also watched the kids while I went out for supper with a new friend from one of the churches we’ve been visiting. (See? another answered prayer) This woman and I had so much in common it was amazing! We had so much fun laughing and talking you never would have guessed that we’ve only met a few times before. We clicked. Praise God! She took me home just in time for Tricia to leave to meet some of her friends, and Jonathan and Jennifer to come over for a visit with baby Judah (8 weeks old). I love having them over to our house. We talked and talked and talked…you get the picture. For those of you who have been reading here since the beginning, they are the couple we were supposed to start DB Boulder with. BTW, they are currently looking for a youth ministry position and are unsure about their future direction. Please add them to your prayer lists.

It’s been a long day. Just ask Petey. You can find him curled up in my bed instead of his own. He’s not sleeping well tonight (keeps running to my room), which means I probably won’t either.

Benny and Max arrived safely in Tulsa to spend the night with friends, then it’s on to San Antonio tomorrow. I’m a bit jealous that I couldn’t go, but before I go recalling the pre-children trips of our youth, I’ll just be thankful that I have three to enjoy, protect, laugh with and at, and love. I’m still jealous that Benny gets to meet/see a few of my blogging friends before I do. (like TMK) How’s that fair? :)- He’s preaching at Northside C of C, both services on Sunday. That’s where our friend Adam is the y.m. Ironically, Adam (with a group of 25 teens and adults) is on his way to Colorado to climb a mountain. Pray for him too. Remember, he broke a bone in his foot at Zenith. He’s healing well, and he’ll be fine. He commented that maybe there’s a reason why he needed to be slowed down before/for this trip. Our friend Chris gets back from Mexico tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear how his group did this past week. Check out his new blog here.

Have I mentioned how blessed I am?

Thank you Lord for the best, most faith-growing year yet!