The Mommy Job

Recently I’ve become very good at fighting with a light saber.  All you have to do is say 3,2,1 ACTIVATE and I’m ready with my red (a.k.a. dark side) light saber poised for battle.

I can even do the “sounds.”

Yep, something I never thought I would do – light saber fights.

This past summer, sandwiched between some awful family events, we squeezed in a trip to Disneyland.

And late on day 2 my oldest came down with a fever. (If you ever need to know where the first aid is at California Adventure, don’t hesitate to call me.)  My oldest was very disappointed to be holed up in the hotel room trying to break her fever. Thanks to grandparents staying with her, hubby and I took the twins to explore Tomorrowland on the 3^rd and last day of our trip.

Grateful that the Astro-Blasters line moved quickly, we rode it several times. Then rode Autopia several times. Lunchtime called and we stumbled upon the Jedi Training Academy. The twins were amazed. And I paid close attention.

3, 2, 1, ACTIVATE!

We watched Darth Vader and Darth Maul battle the new Jedi knights. They were adorable in their brown tunics “fighting” a very tall Darth Vader. And without thinking, I told the twins next time we come to Disneyland they could join the academy.  I better hold up my end of that bargain.

We came of home with light sabers – one blue, one red. Because you can’t have just one light saber.

Must. Have. Two.

So now we regularly have light saber fights around the house. Please don’t tell the landlord. My son asked me to play with him and I, of course, activated my light saber and readied myself for battle. I stepped away from the computer, Facebook, etc and played. It was a memory I won’t soon forget.

Next I go to Disneyland maybe I should attend the Jedi Training Academy. But by then, I may not need it.

What have you done as a mom that you never thought you’d do? Join in on the conversation in the comments and on Facebook. Have a great weekend! See you next week!

Have you ever had a well laid out plan that eventually totally fell apart? I had great intentions for our family’s summer plans. The kids made a big list of fun things to do. In June we marked several off the list, and then July came. Sickness decided to visit our home in the form of flu and strep throat. Throw in a week at VBS and a big family trip to Disneyland and you have craziness.

July flew by and we entered August with 3 sick kids. Fevers, grumpiness and quickly depleting the two Costco sized bottles of ibuprofen was the order of the day. So much for the Fun List. James and I has so many plans… that didn’t happen.

Instead, the stupid strep virus stuck around and had a party in my son’s chest. It invaded his chest… and we didn’t know. His fever spiked to 105 degrees. After a chest x-ray the pediatrician said it was pneumonia.

Can you say s.c.a.r.e.d?

No improvement after 2 days. The pneumonia was worse and within hours we were in an ER room, battling dehydration, fluid in his chest, and Seth was fighting to breathe.

Scared. Worried. Nothing else mattered.

We were transported to the UC Davis Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The CT scan showed so much fluid his lung collapsed. His organs were being pushed to the other side of his body. He was panting for breath.

Shock.

11 hours later he was in surgery because the chest tube couldn’t get all the crap in his chest. I have pictures to prove it.

Unreal.

So much for our summer plans. My mommy brain was spinning because he was supposed to start Kindergarten and soccer in 5 days.

He was a trooper. He recovered very quickly. His lung re-inflated – Praise God! Respiratory therapy helped him breath deeper, stronger. He was out of the hospital 4 days later.

When our family and friends prayed, the terror, the worry, the scariness melted away. Peace that surpasses all understanding carried us through this dark time.

He started Kindergarten one week late and played his first soccer game last week. He’s over it all. But I can honestly say I’m not. Because I remember every detail and emotion. I’m sad he had to go through all of that. I’m sad we didn’t make the summer memories we wanted. But we did bond as a family. We played games in the best hospital play room around. Nothing like just being together in a procedure free playroom. But I am thankful for so many who prayed, who helped- the list is too long.

So friends, please forgive me for not being here on my blog. My focus has been on my family- getting well, finding our new normal, and all of a sudden we are in September and adjusting to our fall schedule: (school, soccer, girl scouts- oh and did I mention James is training for the Tough Mudder and I’m training for a half marathon? Crazy- yes!). I’m still figuring out how this blog fits into my new normal.

There will be more to come- thanks for reading, supporting, loving.