Mom Blurbs Day 4

Day 4: When plans change…

If there is one thing I have gotten used to, in my joyfully chaotic life, it’s that plans do not always go as we intend them to. Several years ago, I started calling it, “rolling with the punches.” And, I still do that very thing.

This morning, getting the kids up and off to school wasn’t as bad as yesterday. Yes, we had some morning struggles. Nobody missed their ride, though, and that was a WIN for me this week!

I ran some errands with Kenny, and then spent the afternoon doing laundry, dishes, and some cleaning while he was gone, with the rest of the fire department, to a couple fire calls.

We've been making a few attempts to have dinner with Kenny's family this past week, and every attempt has been met with some sort of change of plans. It's all good, though, and we are "rolling with those punches." It'll happen, and that alone is enough to make me happy.

This evening was a quick meal event. Chicken and cheese taquitos with some chips on the side. I spent most of the afternoon and evening catching up on my favorite TV shows, that I’ve missed episodes on over the past two weeks. Criminal Minds, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, SWAT, SVU, Blue Bloods, and the Chicago series (Fire, PD, Med).

Mom felt lazy today. But I still got a lot done for someone who was wiped!

I will still have dishes to do tomorrow. Having no dishwasher kinda sucks. Only my two hands. Yes, I understand that I have three boys who could help with the dishes, and they DO try… I’m just extremely OCD about my dishes, and I have to walk away when they do them, so they don’t have me leaning over them saying, “No. Not that way. You’re going to miss a spot. Why are you using that amount of soap? No, no, no, no… here. Let me show you.”

Titus and Levi enjoy helping with the laundry, though. That’s a good thing! They are learning some basic life skills here and there. 😊

Other than the loud, boisterous shouting of the children as they play, the house has been relatively quiet this week. We have had our TV’s off for a bit, and the peace is lovely!

They go to bed every night, listening to Adventures in Odyssey, an old radio program I listened to as a child. My mom bought EVERY ALBUM that series has, and we are borrowing their old cassettes a few volumes at a time. Watching my kids attempt to use a cassette player for the first time was probably my most entertaining moment of the month! They were so THRILLED to be able to make it work! I still giggle every time I think about it.

The first tape that unraveled on them was EPIC! Levi came to me in a panic, saying he thinks he broke the tape! I found an old BIC pen, told him to sit beside me, and I would show him a trick. I began to reel it back in, and the look of amazement on his face was glorious! He was in awe! I was holding in my laughter as hard as I could until he walked away. I love my boys!

With that being said, I shall leave you with this. Turn off those TV’s. Read a book. Find an old radio program to listen to at night. It does wonders for the true imagination of the children. No screen before their eyes. No white noise. Pure and simple imagination and brain work. Love the little things, while we still have time to do it as a family. And when plans change, make the best of it! Even if you don't like the turn of events, children adjust well to plan changes, and if Mom makes the best of it, they will too. 

#hugs to you all! I shall see you tomorrow for another edition of my joyfully chaotic life!

Mom Blurbs Day 3

Day 3: MICE!

Greetings on day three from my joyfully chaotic life!

Yesterday was a good day. I got a lot of things done, finally! Laundry is continued, the breezeway and garage are BOTH cleaned and smell normal again, and my living room, dining room, and kitchen are all looking and smelling normal again as well.

However…

There are mice in my house… … …

We have counted two, so far. They hang together, run together, and completely outsmart ALL of my traps together! We have used sticky traps, snap traps, you name it, you name the bait, we have used them all! I’ve tested the sensitivity of the traps, and the stickiness of the glue traps, and they are all, quite capable of trapping these little, squeaky ninjas! But, ninjas they are! Bait has been eaten off the traps, and the traps have never gone off. The glue traps have been MOVED by the creatures, and still no mice caught on them! How?!

Now, I am aware that my county is popular for field mice, in and around people’s houses. But, I draw the line when they are just scampering around my home, no fear of being seen or almost stepped on, and just do their thing like this is their house, and not mine!

I will win, little mice… I. Will. Win.

On another note, Micah is going back to school full days again, as of yesterday. He’s not happy about the arrangement, but it is time to get him into the routine and see how it goes. He still has to see a Psychiatrist, but we are waiting on that referral to go through. So far, mornings are the greatest struggle. As the day continues, Micah improves. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we start having better mornings soon. Day 3 was rough. He missed the bus and was late to school. He threw a little fit about going, and again after he arrived at the school, but the day got a little better as it went on. I get emails from his teacher frequently, and she’s great about keeping in touch about his progress.

I will admit to my bad mom days, though. I’m supposed to keep up with all his work he missed during his half-day routine, and I let it slip a little too often. Given the level of stress, anxiety, and “headless chicken” running I do, it’s understandable. But, I’m making strides to be better at keeping up with his work. Baby steps…

As of the rest of the clan, Titus enjoyed a GIANT bowl of cereal for a pre-supper snack, Levi went frog hunting and brought a new friend into the house to meet everyone, and everyone has had a complete supper every night this week, full, main course with at least 2 sides. Booyah!

As for myself… I am off to catch some mice… or try to at least.

Remember, enjoy the little things.

Mom Blurbs Day 2

My Joyfully Chaotic Life Day 2: Who let the dogs out?!

So, my little, country house has a closed-in porch (breezeway). I have yet to secure a trash company to take my trash every week, so I put the bags out there now and then until I can dispose of them properly. The other day the door to the outside was left open…

I have 2 German Shepherds, and a stray beagle who decided to make my house his new home. Between the three canine companions of my family, the beagle is the chew-happy creature! And when I say “Chew Happy” I mean we find items of EVERY kind all over my yard, my grandparent’s yard (they live next door), and into the dirt road in front of our houses. Clothes, toys, trash, food, pieces of outdoor equipment, pillows, blankets, shoes, dishes, yard tools, you name it and it’s been dragged from the garage or porch to kingdom come!

Back to the present day:

I opened my back door to the breezeway, yesterday, and was smacked in the face by a wall of STINK!! Now, allow me to say this first, I had a rough morning yesterday. I woke up in the middle of the night to a barfing child. I sent one to school who was sick and never bothered to tell me until he got home yesterday afternoon. Somehow, I slept through that one. I was up all morning, sanitizing, cleaning, scrubbing, and burning all my sinus cavities with bleach, Lysol, and Pine Sol chemicals! 

When I opened that door, I realized quickly that my nose still worked… as well as my gag reflex!

My washer and dryer are in that breezeway. I had blankets and towels affected by the sickness that needed to be washed. Before the dogs got into the breezeway I had started the first load of blankets. I opened that door to change the laundry, stink wall smacks me, I jump back and slam the door shut, reach for my Scentsy Room Spray, and (even though it is recommended one spritz per room) began to spray that thing like a madwoman. I was a mad woman! I was spraying and shouting, “For. The. Love. Of. All. That. Is. Holy! What in HADES was THAT?!”

Now, for those who know me, I am sure you can already visualize Becca jumping around like she had been stung by a bee, spraying this little bottle of vanilla spray all over like it was wasp spray going for the yellow jacket in the air. After it was over, I saw it in my mind and giggled.

Good news, though. I didn’t throw up! Yay me! I did my stink dance, got the dogs into their kennels, and continued my angry cleaning mode.

Today:

These 4-legged monsters of mine have tested and tried the patience of Becca to the very limit I have! They barked and played LOUDLY all night. I let them outside to burn some of their energy twice in the night, and again as soon as the kids got on their buses this morning to go to school. They’ve spent more time outdoors in the past 24 hours than I have ever made them go before.

Am I mad? Nah… Mama just be tired. I didn’t have the energy to argue with dogs about who went were, and they all ended up in the same kennel together multiple times today. Hey, that’s what they wanted, so that’s what they got today. It’s a large kennel, QUITE large, in fact. But, I swear… if I have to hear the song of the canine tonight as I did last night, there will be 3 pups who find themselves in a brand-new doghouse BEHIND my house come this time tomorrow! I will go get a shed, some fencing, and create a happy home for the three of them to enjoy, outside of my earshot! Haha!

On a positive note, the 2-legged children are all healthy and happy today. They slept well last night. Everyone had a decent day at school today. They enjoyed supper this evening (chicken soup- day 2). And I get to spend my evening folding these 6 baskets of laundry before the bedtime battle begins tonight.

Oh, and thanks to the care and assistance of an amazing person, my breezeway will also be cleaned tonight, and I’ll be able to return to my laundry that has yet to be completed.

Celebrate the little things! #Hugs

Mom Blurbs Day One

The ramblings of a single mom, living with anxiety, raising 3 boys. 2 of them on the spectrum. Together we are on an adventure of a lifetime, that will last a lifetime. Welcome to my Joyfully Chaotic Life!

Oh, for the glorious season of Autumn! The changing of the leaves, the brisk, cool air, the wind, bonfires, fall festivals, school parties…. And the season of Clorox and Lysol!

It would seem that, when you gather a room full of healthy children for school, germs spontaneously erupt, and everyone and their mother (literally) gets a virus before October! In my house, the bugs thus far have been strep, mono, belly bug, respiratory infection, ear infection, and a SERIOUS case of “mama be tired!”

Today alone I have disinfected most of my house, scrubbed furniture, washed loads of clothes and blankets, and made chicken soup! The meal will be refreshing to the sick and afflicted, and I’m going to enjoy warming my hands with the steaming bowl of homemade soup. This mama is tired.

Parenting three boys from ages 7 to 13 is interesting enough on its own. Bring some sickness into the mix, and we find out really quick who is going to grow up and give a spouse some grief with “man flu” issues! (I pity the poor, future victims)

Let tomorrow bring with it; health, happiness, peace, and better smelling rooms in my home!

Goodnight World… and remember to enjoy the little things! #hugs

When It Storms

There is something to be said about a good, strong thunderstorm. I love them! For me, the storm gives me peace. I feel comforted by Mother Nature when the wind picks up and the rain starts to make its way across the field to my yard. I love watching it, anticipating the first drops before they fall on my upturned face. The wind embraces me, sometimes gently and comforting, and sometimes with a strength I needed but couldn’t pick up on my own. The flash of the lightning sparks an energy in my soul. The thunder soothes my spirit when it rolls in the distance, and it excites my spirit when it cracks, loud and strong, just over head.

The storms in our lives do not bring peace. Our life storms sometimes come at us with a vengeance, raging in fast and suddenly, leaving us broken and desolate when they are finished. Sometimes they come in gradually, giving us fair warning before drowning us in the flood and leaving us heavy with the weight of the heavy rains.

This year, in the month of June, we had so many storms. Beautiful storms! High winds, some hail, thunder that shook the very soul, lightning that lit up the sky as far as the eye could see, and sheets of rain flowing like waves across the fields. They soothed my soul. The trees did a dance, taking on a life of their own under the music of the strong winds. The rain was like a song, comforting and calming. They were perfect storms. Little did I know they would have to hold me over for my own storms that would come the following month.

July was the month of my personal storms. It was also the month when very few natural storms came to comfort me. But, they did come at the right times, thankfully.

Some storms came in gradually, tormenting me with their approach. I felt helpless to get out of the way, and they poured on me sickness, sorrow, disappointment, pain, and rage. Others hit me suddenly and without warning, like a tornado dropping from a clear sky, rocking my world and leaving me completely destroyed inside.

Yes, storms are beautiful. They clear away things that are cluttering our lives, and they cleanse us with the floods, so we can emerge from them and rise as a new person. But, they are a beautiful disaster. They are not meant to be gentle. They hurt. They break away the things that we have carried for too long, and they blow us over, knocking us down to crack open the hard shell we didn’t even know was covering our soul gradually, over time. It hurts. It really hurts to be put through a storm. Sometimes storms blow away friends and people in our lives whom we believed were going to stand by us in even the strongest winds.

Storms don’t define us. They refine us. Storms are going to come. There is no way to stop them. It is what we do with ourselves when the storm comes, and when it passes, that defines us. Some storms will break us. I have often thought I would never repair myself from the damage of a life-storm. But the beauty in the disaster is when we allow the storm to blow away the rubble, wash away the dirt and grime, and stand firm, cleansed and free. Raise your hands and face to welcome the rain. Open your arms for the embrace of the wind. Let the thunder shake off the crud from your heart and soul. Bask in the energy of the lightning. And, when the storm is over, breathe in the fresh air. If you were knocked over, stand up. If you were still standing, take your first step. Be it good, or bad, there is just something about a storm.

Now, the next storm that Mother Nature brings your way, take some pictures, record some video, and feel the cleanse that the earth is receiving. And when you have a life-storm come, you can look at those memories of nature’s finest and hold on, because you will be as the earth when it passes. Cleansed, refreshed, and more beautiful than ever.

I Love My Children

I just want you all to know, I love my children. I do love them, so much…

One of my favorite things to hear out of the mouths of my children is, “Oh, Mom!” There is just something about their tone and half-smile, with the annoyed look in their eyes, that just gets me right in the heart, with joy! I beat them at their own game, usually a game of wits, and they can’t deal. But, they continue to try. Ha!

Now, this is a form of a “Mother’s Day” post, as I said I would provide, but I wanted it to be about the reason I celebrate this day.

I love my children…

Levi, my 10-year-old son, has some of the most hilarious one-liners I have ever heard! We recently changed primary care physicians, and our new doctor loves to tell jokes as well. In the 2 months that we have seen him, Levi has sprained his finger, had an allergy attack, and tried to go a third time for another reason, and was sad to learn it wasn’t bad enough to see the doctor. I told him it would be a bad idea to break a bone, because that would land him in the ER where he wouldn’t see HIS doctor, but an ER doctor instead. So, he looks at me, without missing a beat and says, “I don’t feel so good. I think I have a fever *cough, cough*.” Really, son? Really?! (sigh) I don’t call him my “carbon copy” for nothing.

I do love my children…

My 12-year-old, Titus, is 5ft6.5in. He has RED hair, and delightful freckles all over his face. His smile is so sweet. Do not be fooled by this (not so) little sweetheart, though, because he has a trickster side that will come out of nowhere and catch you off guard. His usual victims are his brothers, after which they will come running to me playing the unfortunate victim. Then, when I go see what was up, Titus will look at me and say, “Oh, I just did that, so you would come outside to see what I made.” And proceed to show me some creation of his, made from scraps of something else he tore apart. I’m just thankful he hasn’t tried breaking down my walls when I’m not looking, to create a droid or some other robotic thing he enjoys.

Again, I love my children…

Micah, my youngest, is 7 years old. I call him my animal. He can climb anything! He does this thing, he calls a swan dive… and yes, he does it well! He gets a running start, jumps up, and soars forward until he face-plants into the dirt below. Arms stretched out, over his head, he looks like a curly-headed Superman flying 2ft off the ground until he lands with a thud, rolls over, and runs back the other direction to do it again. This is a daily event. What shocks me the most is, of my three sons, he is the only one I have not gone to the ER with for an INJURY yet! Oh, I know the day is coming, though. I have prepared myself emotionally, and mentally, for the day to arrive.

Oh, how I love my children…

Every day is such a joy, and a functional disaster, in my house. Between the break-dancing (Levi) Human Crash Dummy (Micah) and the genius of all things electronic and construction (Titus), we have unending adventures. No, really… like we can’t even move on to the next chapter of an adventure. It MUST stay on this on! Ha, ha!

From the “Bad Dad” jokes, to the pranks, the knock-knock jokes that make NO sense, my three musketeers keep my brain in constant working order. Speaking of the knock-knock jokes, Micah told one the other day that I couldn’t help but laugh at. Let’s see if I can get it like he did…

Micah: Hey mom. Knock, knock.

Me: (kind of distracted) Uhm, who’s there?

Micah: SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS!

And… that was it. Now, if anyone knows my child, they can read this in his dramatic tone of voice. He kind of sounds like the dude announcing the fighters in the ring on a fight night. When he finished on that note, I sat there for a second, silently, and I could feel the physical signs of uncontrollable laughter starting to work its way from my feet to my mouth. He just KNEW he told a good one, and the look on his face, through is little coke-bottle glasses, the pure joy and humor in his eyes, matching the cheeky grin on his face as he looked at me expectantly, I couldn’t stand it. I laughed until it hurt. Not to make him feel better about a half-done joke, but because the whole thing was PRICELESS! It couldn’t have been a better told joke by either of his brothers.

These three are the reasons I celebrate as a mother on Mother’s Day. They have made me what I am, in so many ways. I look at them and see a little of me in each of them every day. I see the softer, sensitive side of myself in Titus. His genuine concern for others touches my heart. I see the quirky, humorous side of me in Levi, with the jokes, silly humor, and witty come-backs. I see my wild side in Micah; the pure enjoyment of life, and the fun that can be found around every corner. I just wish he had a little more caution than he does. I fear for my health with that one…

These three are as different as night, day, and some other universe as well! It’s just me and them. They do not have a male influence in their lives, only me. We battle the day, and enjoy the world, together. And without them, I would be… lost.

I do… love my children. <3                            

Just Another ADHD Day

This week, in the lives of myself and my exceptional children, we didn’t do much until near the weekend.

Monday was torturous, as usual, and as the week went on everyone settled into their routine with ease (as easy as we do anyway). But it is Friday that I want to share about today.

Friday: I had to take my youngest, who is 7 and has ADHD, to the orthodontist to have a couple of teeth worked on. This would be his first time having the Nitrous gas used on him for any dental work. Before we found this group, he was TERRIFIED of the dentist, because of an issue he had with a previous orthodontist who traumatized him with a tooth extraction situation. I was nervous. He was hyper. My mother went with us for “momma support” and I was so grateful!

We waited for over 30 minutes for them to begin the procedure, and he was getting restless. My anxiety was climbing. Finally, the Dr. came in and they began. He did AMAZING! Tried to move his hands and feet a couple of times, but he never cried, squirmed, or did anything to disrupt their actual progress. They praised him for his awesome handling of the event, and we were finally free!

We went to Steak ‘N’ Shake for lunch, because the poor, little guy wanted a milkshake after the event, and we thought we would give it a try. Now, his smile was slightly loose on the right, and his words had a slight slur to them. Mom and I wondered if he would be able to actually succeed consuming his milkshake. So, I suggested we eat inside, and let his mouth come back to life a bit before ordering the delectable delight for the munchkin.

Success! Well, sort of. He had a couple of spills but having requested the M&M milkshake he was bound to have some clogs in the straw.

Now, all this being said… my son has ADHD. He is hyper. He is impulsive. I have had to learn to deal with sudden outbursts of noise, wiggly arms and legs, climbing, rolling, fidgeting, and muttering from his little self his entire life. Only recently have we been able to get a solid diagnosis for him, and medication when necessary (i.e. school). For this day he did not have the medication, and it was showing. He wasn’t rude. He wasn’t obnoxious. He was Micah. And, he was getting looks. We all three were.

Did it bother me? Yes.

I understand that my child is not going to sit still for 45 minutes in a single place. I understand that my child has a volume control issue now and then, that even he can’t explain just yet. I understand that other people aren’t going to get it, with their quiet, well behaved, smiling children sitting next to them, joining in the observation of my wiggly, restless, but cheerfully hyper son. But it doesn’t take away the struggle that I, as a mother, deal with internally when it does happen.

Mothers of ADHD children are exceptional! We are blessed, and we are strong women! For us to be the mothers of such amazing children is a privilege. We have been given a gift. A strong child, and a strength in ourselves that, at many times, even we do not comprehend! I say “mothers” because, as women, we are emotional creatures by nature. The struggle to suppress emotions is real!

I find myself fighting the urge to be rude to the people who are making faces in my direction when I am in public with my kids. I fight the urge to walk up to them and give them a lecture on exceptional children and their struggles. But, as a mom of exceptional children, I also understand that people aren’t going to “get it” by mere words and defense of our children. Emotions are already high, on both ends, when it comes to ADHD and Autistic children in public places. I wouldn’t make it any better, or educate anyone, by stepping up with my emotions high and confronting someone.

I tip my hat to any parent of exceptional children, single or married, who fights the public battles daily. I am doing the best that I can. My boys are healthy, happy, and loved. They are amazing, and my little heroes. I couldn’t ask for a better blessing from above any day, than the three musketeers who call me “Mom.” And, I will always support them, encourage them, and teach them that honesty, integrity, and love will take them farther than anything in life. Regardless of what anyone else thinks, says, or does, if they remain true to themselves first, and others, they will do things in life that we never imagined in their youth.

We will all get looks and words charged in our direction, all our lives. Both encouraging and discouraging. It affects us, yes. But, what matters most is what we see in, and say to, ourselves. My son is ADHD. I am his mother. We both have a lot of heart, and a lot of strength. All three of my sons are strong. My hope for my sons is that their strength will be used for good, always.