Better

Better is a great way to describe last week's end and this week's beginning. Since Friday a week ago, I have had a cold I just couldn't kick. By Thursday of last week, I also couldn't talk. My boss remarked that my call was the best call in for being sick he's had in 36 years. He actually laughed hysterically at me after he answered and I said squeaked, "Hi boss." He basically hung up on me in laughter managing to tell me that it was alright to text him with any other necessary information. The troubling part was that my usual asthma inhaler was not making any headway for my lungs. After a trip to the doctor Friday (because there were NO appointments Thursday) for steroids, I can now breathe properly. I'm calling that a definite "pro".

While I was home Thursday, a much anticipated package came in the mail. Partly as an ongoing 10th anniversary present to ourselves and partly because it needed to be done, MH and I have been updating and replacing some items in our house. We have been using mismatched, cobbled together, flimsy plastic cups for ages. Our new set arrived Thursday. We love it! In case anyone out there reading isn't aware, I love color. Color makes me happy. These cups are sold with a lifetime warranty for breakage. I accidentally left one of our older cups like this on the top of my car a couple years ago, and it didn't break when I raced off it fell. Wouldn't you know that while I was unpacking the box, I dropped a cup (the beautiful turquoise one) on JUST the right spot to crack it? I called the company, and they've sent out a replacement cup with no questions asked!

Thursday also brought better behavior for Tot at gymnastics. He really does love the class, but he struggles to wait his turn. Two weeks ago, I took him from class early. A week ago, he started out great, but after a potty break told me that he wanted to go home because he didn't want to wisten feel well. It broke my heart. I don't want to ruin his love of something, but I also can't allow him to be a danger to himself or others. MH and I have discussed taking him out of the class completely to let him mature a little, and last Thursday was to be our gauge. He started out saying that he didn't want to go at all, but did decide to give it a go. He positively beamed when receiving his TWO stamps at the end of the class. For a few weeks, he was only getting the "good gymnastics" stamp, but added back the "good listening" stamp this week.

Friday, I spent most of the day and evening alone. During the day, I was trying to get a handle on my breathing and trying to rest. In the evening, MH took Tot to see MonsterJam. Tot highly enjoyed seeing the big ol' trucks drive over smashed cars and do donuts. When I asked him the next morning about his night, he happily sung "Who et tha dogs out? Woof woofwoof woof!" It was awesome and hilarious all rolled up in one little song. In case you don't know, that is the theme song for MonsterMutt. I'd say that father and son both enjoyed their outing.

By Saturday, the adequate oxygenation and the steroids gave me better energy that needed an outlet. MH took me and Tot shopping and generally out and about. The weather was fabulous, so we ventured to a river walk area and explored a walking bridge and a submarine. We also enjoyed dinner at a kid-friendly downtown brewery. It is a personal goal of mine this year to better acclimate Tot with restaurant eating. We don't go out to nicer places super often, but it is something like on occasion. Sometimes we want to go alone, but other times we want to take him along and enjoy dinner our with him (keyword: enjoy). We ordered his meal along with our appetizer so that he could get right down to eating. Since we had such a great long walk, Tot ate like a champ! Saturday was a terrific day of enjoying our family and great weather.

 The end result of Sunday was going to bed with our house and minds in much better states. A definite con of the steroids was that I had a strong desire to disinfect, clean, and cook but absolutely NO focus to do any of that efficiently. It took me an hour and a half to clean our not-very-dirty kitchen. However, with teamwork and a little laughing at myself, MH and I cleaned and welcomed friends from church for great discussion and a delicious potluck dinner. MH even got a little burst of energy after all 22 guests left: he re-vacuumed the floor so that he and I could fully enjoy the our clean house. We like to have company for several reasons, but one of those reasons is that we really enjoy having our house "company" clean even after the company leaves.

I worked Monday, though that wasn't my plan. Tot's daycare was closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I planned to take vacation to hang out with him, but since I was out sick two days last week, Tot spent the day with our niece who was actually thrilled to be able to come watch him. She has been unavailable the last few times we had asked, so I am glad that the two of them were able to love on each other a little. Here's to a better week already!