I recently wrote about a rough day in the Root household. I knew in writing it that a "bad day" is all based on perspective and was grateful that none of the events that occurred were tragic or life altering. However, yesterday my perspective was challenged as I listened to the Mooneys share the story of their love and loss of their baby boy, Eliot. I looked beside me in the church pew at a new friend and neighbor who sat with a pregnant belly, holding in it the life of a baby boy who has so many complications that he is not supposed to live. I came home to the news that my 7 year old nephew still battling leukemia has dangerous infections consuming his legs as an indirect side effect of his chemo meds.
These are all reminders that there are no guarantees in life. Life is a precious gift that we don't deserve; every moment is to be treasured. So I say today, bring on the bloody noses, stitches, earaches and sleepless nights. It means that there is life in this household - lots of life, abundant life, crazy and chaotic life, but life none the less.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tender heart
Tonight was Art Gallery night at Kylee's elementary school. Wednesdays are also one of the busiest nights of the week with both Jim and I helping with AWANA at church. I told Kylee we likely wouldn't have time to make it to the art gallery, and didn't think much about it. Her own artwork wasn't being displayed, but pieces of art from the community were being auctioned off to raise money for the school. However, throughout the evening, Kylee was relentless in questioning me about the Art Gallery and it surprised me. When we made it home, we quickly started right in on our bedtime routine, with Jim putting the boys down and Ky doing her mini gym workout with me. Between handstands on the beam, she looked up at me and said, "So what about the Art Gallery? Do we have time to go?"
"No, Ky, I'm sorry, but it closed up before we even got home." I answered casually, not prepared for what came next. Tears. Lots of tears. So many tears that soon, her little shoulders were shaking. I scooped her into my arms and held her close. "Sweetie, what's wrong?"
"I wanted the kids in the wheelchairs to be able to play on the playground with us!" She sobbed. Between crying and catching her breath, she explained that the money earned was to be used for an apparatus to help handicapped children utilize the playground. I hadn't known. Tears burst from my own eyes and there we sat together, holding one another on the basement steps crying - Ky because she was afraid the special children in the classroom next to hers wouldn't get to play on the playground with her, and me because of the tender heart of my precious little girl.
"No, Ky, I'm sorry, but it closed up before we even got home." I answered casually, not prepared for what came next. Tears. Lots of tears. So many tears that soon, her little shoulders were shaking. I scooped her into my arms and held her close. "Sweetie, what's wrong?"
"I wanted the kids in the wheelchairs to be able to play on the playground with us!" She sobbed. Between crying and catching her breath, she explained that the money earned was to be used for an apparatus to help handicapped children utilize the playground. I hadn't known. Tears burst from my own eyes and there we sat together, holding one another on the basement steps crying - Ky because she was afraid the special children in the classroom next to hers wouldn't get to play on the playground with her, and me because of the tender heart of my precious little girl.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Had a bad day
It all started after Jim and I crawled into bed and drifted off into a nice, deep sleep. The first of many interruptions came in the form of pitter pattering little feet down the carpeted hallway to our bedroom. Kaden was mumbling away, not making much sense, so we gently told him to head back to bed. He continued to sit and mumble at the edge of the bed, so I got up and escorted him back to his bedroom when I heard him say something that I understood, "I need a tissue!" Then I saw his face, covered in blood from a heavily bleeding nose. It took awhile to get it to stop (always does) but eventually it was stopped, he was cleaned up, sheets stripped, carpet scrubbed, and we were all back to sleep... for a bit.
Soon, the cry of the baby filled the air, which is really unusual for him. I went in to comfort him. His poor little arm somehow got twisted in the crib slats and he couldn't seem to get it free. Had it not been the arm with the thumb he sucks constantly to sleep, he probably would have slept right through it. He was untwisted, comforted and sleep was found again... for a bit.
In no time at all, another pitter pattering of feet came down the hall to our room and my sweet Kylee stated, "My ear hurts!" Oh dear. Just another of the thousands of ear infections we've had in this family, for sure, but, nonetheless, she was hurting. As she cuddled up to Daddy, I ran downstairs and rummaged around in the dark for medication for the pain, and the numbing drops for her eardrums. Once she was medicated and tucked back into bed, I started back into a peaceful slumber... for a bit.
Soon, Kylee was back in our room and jumped into bed with me. "Mommy, I can't go to sleep and my ear isn't all better yet." I told her that she could stay with me just until the pain subsided, but after a restless night so far, I fell back asleep rather quickly - though it was interrupted with the twists and turns of my beloveds on either side of me. :O)
When the sun dared to shine it's first ray over the horizon, the boys were quickly at the bedside begging for breakfast. We tried to delay and gain a few extra winks on our pillows, but to no avail. It's been awhile since we've had to endure a sleepless night and we were a bit out of practice. As we rolled out of bed, we found residual blood from Kaden's nose bleed on our own bed and stripped our sheets to also be washed. After which, a waffle breakfast was served.
As soon as I was able, I phoned the doctor's office to report Kylee's ear pain and was asked to bring her in. I explained that the doctor had seen her just last week and had warned that an infection was possible with some fluid build up already present and asked if medicine could be phoned into the pharmacy. The nurse wasn't convinced. I told her we had a busy day, bringing her in would be difficult, and was it possible to talk with the doctor? She did, and he graciously called in a prescription for my girl's ear infection. Wonderful!
However, not even 10 minutes later, the kids were planning a pillow fight and ran upstairs to get their pillows. Screams soon filled the air -which isn't uncommon in our home with 4 little ones who scream for fun, fear, delight and pain - but Kaden appeared with pain on his face and blood in his hair. "Tee," Jim called to me, "he's got quite the bump here." As Jim wiped away the blood, I tried my best to assess the seriousness of the bump. It didn't take long to realize it was big, deep, bloody and stitches would be needed. As we held a wiggling, crying boy and put pressure on his head, I called the doctor once again and told the nurse, "Never mind, we're going to need to come in after all!"
As soon as we could coral the kiddos, we all headed off to the doctor with Kade's head wrapped in an ace wrap. He had calmed down quite quickly once he realized that his owie might earn him a pokie prize and was quite excited to get his head taken care of. His happy attitude continued as his head was cleaned, numbed with topical and injections of lidocaine, and stitched together with 8 stitches. He sang, hummed, giggled, counted and goofed off all the while. The staff was amazed that a 4 year old boy could do so well and wondered what I'd given him before coming in. :O) Colson, who had stayed with me at the doctor while Jim took Ky and the baby to her gym class, was a very concerned, sweet brother. He carefully counted down the stitches as the doctor put them in and checked in with Kaden making sure he wasn't hurting. We soon left the doctor's with both boys shirts plastered in race car stickers.
I met up with Jim at gymnastics, and traded the boys for Kylee so I could take her to a friend's birthday party. Because of our hectic morning, we purchased the gift en route to the party and were a bit later than we expected to be - ugh. However, Kylee was happy to be there and while I left her to play for an hour with the girls, I ran home to get Kaden so we could buy his pokie prize. Running into the house, I heard more of the painful screaming. Now what??? I ran upstairs and was greeted by multiple spots of bright red blood in my cream colored carpet. What is with today??? Jim had a hysterical Colson on his lap in the bathroom, trying to stop his bloody nose. Together we stopped it, changed his bloodied clothes completely, and spent quite some time cleaning the carpet.
I am happy to say that the rest of our day was smooth. The boys and I grabbed groceries, Kaden's pokie prize and Kylee's antibiotics before running to pick her up. We were able to go on a walk, bathe all the kiddos and spend the evening together with popped popcorn and a good movie. It was the perfect ending to our "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!" (Anybody read that fun book by Judith Viorst?)
Soon, the cry of the baby filled the air, which is really unusual for him. I went in to comfort him. His poor little arm somehow got twisted in the crib slats and he couldn't seem to get it free. Had it not been the arm with the thumb he sucks constantly to sleep, he probably would have slept right through it. He was untwisted, comforted and sleep was found again... for a bit.
In no time at all, another pitter pattering of feet came down the hall to our room and my sweet Kylee stated, "My ear hurts!" Oh dear. Just another of the thousands of ear infections we've had in this family, for sure, but, nonetheless, she was hurting. As she cuddled up to Daddy, I ran downstairs and rummaged around in the dark for medication for the pain, and the numbing drops for her eardrums. Once she was medicated and tucked back into bed, I started back into a peaceful slumber... for a bit.
Soon, Kylee was back in our room and jumped into bed with me. "Mommy, I can't go to sleep and my ear isn't all better yet." I told her that she could stay with me just until the pain subsided, but after a restless night so far, I fell back asleep rather quickly - though it was interrupted with the twists and turns of my beloveds on either side of me. :O)
When the sun dared to shine it's first ray over the horizon, the boys were quickly at the bedside begging for breakfast. We tried to delay and gain a few extra winks on our pillows, but to no avail. It's been awhile since we've had to endure a sleepless night and we were a bit out of practice. As we rolled out of bed, we found residual blood from Kaden's nose bleed on our own bed and stripped our sheets to also be washed. After which, a waffle breakfast was served.
As soon as I was able, I phoned the doctor's office to report Kylee's ear pain and was asked to bring her in. I explained that the doctor had seen her just last week and had warned that an infection was possible with some fluid build up already present and asked if medicine could be phoned into the pharmacy. The nurse wasn't convinced. I told her we had a busy day, bringing her in would be difficult, and was it possible to talk with the doctor? She did, and he graciously called in a prescription for my girl's ear infection. Wonderful!
However, not even 10 minutes later, the kids were planning a pillow fight and ran upstairs to get their pillows. Screams soon filled the air -which isn't uncommon in our home with 4 little ones who scream for fun, fear, delight and pain - but Kaden appeared with pain on his face and blood in his hair. "Tee," Jim called to me, "he's got quite the bump here." As Jim wiped away the blood, I tried my best to assess the seriousness of the bump. It didn't take long to realize it was big, deep, bloody and stitches would be needed. As we held a wiggling, crying boy and put pressure on his head, I called the doctor once again and told the nurse, "Never mind, we're going to need to come in after all!"
As soon as we could coral the kiddos, we all headed off to the doctor with Kade's head wrapped in an ace wrap. He had calmed down quite quickly once he realized that his owie might earn him a pokie prize and was quite excited to get his head taken care of. His happy attitude continued as his head was cleaned, numbed with topical and injections of lidocaine, and stitched together with 8 stitches. He sang, hummed, giggled, counted and goofed off all the while. The staff was amazed that a 4 year old boy could do so well and wondered what I'd given him before coming in. :O) Colson, who had stayed with me at the doctor while Jim took Ky and the baby to her gym class, was a very concerned, sweet brother. He carefully counted down the stitches as the doctor put them in and checked in with Kaden making sure he wasn't hurting. We soon left the doctor's with both boys shirts plastered in race car stickers.
I met up with Jim at gymnastics, and traded the boys for Kylee so I could take her to a friend's birthday party. Because of our hectic morning, we purchased the gift en route to the party and were a bit later than we expected to be - ugh. However, Kylee was happy to be there and while I left her to play for an hour with the girls, I ran home to get Kaden so we could buy his pokie prize. Running into the house, I heard more of the painful screaming. Now what??? I ran upstairs and was greeted by multiple spots of bright red blood in my cream colored carpet. What is with today??? Jim had a hysterical Colson on his lap in the bathroom, trying to stop his bloody nose. Together we stopped it, changed his bloodied clothes completely, and spent quite some time cleaning the carpet.
I am happy to say that the rest of our day was smooth. The boys and I grabbed groceries, Kaden's pokie prize and Kylee's antibiotics before running to pick her up. We were able to go on a walk, bathe all the kiddos and spend the evening together with popped popcorn and a good movie. It was the perfect ending to our "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!" (Anybody read that fun book by Judith Viorst?)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
"I want Grammy and Poppy to live in our house"
For 2 full weeks, we've had the privilege of having Grammy and Poppy in our home and have loved it!! But, today we said our good-byes. And though the good bye will never be easy, we had fun, stayed busy and absolutely loved having our grandparents completely immersed in our lives, involved in all our play, activities and events! Here's some pictures to prove it:
Being Kylee's birthday week, we certainly made sure she felt special and celebrated! When we weren't running around town pulling together her room makeover, we dropped in to see her at school for lunch! She loved it! Grammy and Poppy were able to make it in a couple times and even stay for recess.
The boys were excited to bring Grammy and Poppy to one of their favorite places to play in the winter - the indoor soccer park!
Wrestling with Cole
Playing with Kaden
The Domes is another favorite indoor retreat during the long, cold winter months! We get to enjoy a rainforest, a dessert garden and an exhibit dome, which happened to be a Legoland train show on this day! What a treat - and a nice break from the cold outside!!
silly faces!!!
enjoying the waterfall
stopping to smell the rosesWe also discovered a fun new indoor play area - Monkey Joes!! It was so fantastic that the boys decided we had to come back later in the week so that Kylee could come along also.
While we had fun, Grammy and Poppy also ran with us to baby visits, AWANA and church, gymnastics, school drop off/pick up and also help to watch and enjoy the little ones we had over throughout the 2 weeks they were here. They completely engaged in our lives and it was wonderful!
Colson took a particular liking to Grammy and would follow her around, smother her with hugs, wait outside the bathroom while she got ready, and express all his thoughts and feelings to her. Today he told me that when he grows up to be a Daddy he wants to take Grammy shopping and let her pick out all the jewelry she wants. Grammy does like her jewelry! :O)
The boys also loved to do projects with Grammy, whenever we had a spare moment at home! We could not throw anything away - everything, they believed, must have some creative purpose and they would find it! Grammy was such a good sport and we now have sweet piles of paper projects around the house to enjoy!
And what a wonder to have a tried and true handyman in our home!! Before their arrival, we had planned for Poppy and Jim to complete some crown molding in select rooms and it looks amazing!! However, as a true handyman, Poppy can't help himself! He managed to find all sorts of things to "fix" during his time here - we are so grateful! The boys loved it when Poppy would work on a project and would immediately run and get their tools to "help".
Though the first week of the visit was frigid and we had to find indoor places to enjoy, the second week was wonderfully warm!! Alright, I realize that "warm" is relative - for us Wisconsinites, warm at this time of the year is 40's and above, while our dear So. Cal parents still preferred their winter coats in such "warmth". :O) However, they were great sports as we seized the opportunity to get outdoors!
Colson took a particular liking to Grammy and would follow her around, smother her with hugs, wait outside the bathroom while she got ready, and express all his thoughts and feelings to her. Today he told me that when he grows up to be a Daddy he wants to take Grammy shopping and let her pick out all the jewelry she wants. Grammy does like her jewelry! :O)
The boys also loved to do projects with Grammy, whenever we had a spare moment at home! We could not throw anything away - everything, they believed, must have some creative purpose and they would find it! Grammy was such a good sport and we now have sweet piles of paper projects around the house to enjoy!
And what a wonder to have a tried and true handyman in our home!! Before their arrival, we had planned for Poppy and Jim to complete some crown molding in select rooms and it looks amazing!! However, as a true handyman, Poppy can't help himself! He managed to find all sorts of things to "fix" during his time here - we are so grateful! The boys loved it when Poppy would work on a project and would immediately run and get their tools to "help".
Though the first week of the visit was frigid and we had to find indoor places to enjoy, the second week was wonderfully warm!! Alright, I realize that "warm" is relative - for us Wisconsinites, warm at this time of the year is 40's and above, while our dear So. Cal parents still preferred their winter coats in such "warmth". :O) However, they were great sports as we seized the opportunity to get outdoors!
Cole with his Daddy at the miniature golf course
Ky told me it was "boiling hot" when I asked her to put a light jacket on in 50 degree weather, and that the sun was too bright when I asked her to smile here. Where did my little California girl go?
One favorite memory for all was an evening of hug-freeze tag and baseball in the backyard. Just perfect.
We loved our time with Grammy and Poppy and are certainly feeling their absence. Colson told me last night that he wanted Grammy and Poppy to live in our house with us. Despite the thousands of miles that separate my kids from their grandparents on both sides, I just love that they feel such love, adoration and closeness with them. Oh how we love our family!!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
My God Can!!
Lately, the boys have been amazed at all God can do!! I hear the questions every day -
Can God color white on white paper and still see it?
Can God walk all the way to Africa?
Can God bowl a strike every time if He wanted to?
Is God taller than our house?
Can God carry the whole world?
Can God see Daddy at work and me at home at the same time?
Only Jesus can fix that, right Mom?
And, of course, the answer is always yes, there is nothing our awesome God cannot do. However, there are times when He chooses not to do things that He is capable of. The kids and I were talking about it this morning, and it was one of those tender moments that I love to have with my kids that usually aren't planned. It started with Kylee talking about the sister that she would love to have someday and I told her that if God wants us to have another little girl in our home then He will allow it to happen, even if we don't know what that looks like.
Colson again surprised me and stated, "And when we don't know where we are going, we just hold God's hand and follow!" That's right, baby, we follow God's leading. He always wants the best for us, even when we can't recognize it. Soon, the boys were again peppering me with questions about all that God can do and Kylee stated, "Yep, His hands are big enough to hold the world but small enough to wipe our tears."
What a statement - demonstrating both God's greatness, power and might, as well as His precious, tender love, all in a few words. He is truly amazing and there's nothing He can't do.
Can God color white on white paper and still see it?
Can God walk all the way to Africa?
Can God bowl a strike every time if He wanted to?
Is God taller than our house?
Can God carry the whole world?
Can God see Daddy at work and me at home at the same time?
Only Jesus can fix that, right Mom?
And, of course, the answer is always yes, there is nothing our awesome God cannot do. However, there are times when He chooses not to do things that He is capable of. The kids and I were talking about it this morning, and it was one of those tender moments that I love to have with my kids that usually aren't planned. It started with Kylee talking about the sister that she would love to have someday and I told her that if God wants us to have another little girl in our home then He will allow it to happen, even if we don't know what that looks like.
Colson again surprised me and stated, "And when we don't know where we are going, we just hold God's hand and follow!" That's right, baby, we follow God's leading. He always wants the best for us, even when we can't recognize it. Soon, the boys were again peppering me with questions about all that God can do and Kylee stated, "Yep, His hands are big enough to hold the world but small enough to wipe our tears."
What a statement - demonstrating both God's greatness, power and might, as well as His precious, tender love, all in a few words. He is truly amazing and there's nothing He can't do.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
6 years old!
Happy Birthday my sweet girl! Wow how time flies - I remember so well the moment I got to take in your precious face for the very first time, and can't believe how much it has changed to a "young girl" face. You are a beautiful girl, Ky, but even more so, you have a beautiful spirit. You are thoughtful and kind, nurturing and attentive, caring and compassionate and I love you so much! I thoroughly enjoy the little person that you are and the times that I get to spend with you. We are so blessed to be given the gift of you!!
For breakfast, Ky requested a "Funny Face". She dictated the following:banana smile
chocolate chip muffin nose
orange eyes with purple grape pupils
scrambled egg hair
Ky admiring her breakfast, with the "nose" smothered in whipped cream and topped with a birthday candle.
The boys were so excited to help Kylee with her gifts. Grammy, Poppy, Jim and I loved sitting back and taking it in. Kylee was so excited about each and every gift!
Off to gym!! I gave her the option of going today and she wanted to go. It probably helped that she got to pick out a new gym leo and bring treats to all her teammates! :)
After gym, we picked up Ky's good friend Allison and were off to Stonefire Pizza Place for dinner and games. Kylee had a blast playing games, painting her face and picking out little prizes and later told me, "Mom, this is such a great birthday!"
The boys went with Ky on this fun ride - Allison was being a little timid.
Alright - who's having more fun here?
Finally! We got the birthday girl and her friend smiling together with their balloon puppies!Kylee's BIG gift was a room makeover!
This desk was a combined gift from Grammy, Poppy, Jim and me. Kylee was absolutely delighted and spent every spare moment "working" at her desk! She loves to draw and write and organize so it is just perfect!
The first thing to be posted on her cork board? Grammy and Poppy's phone number, of course!
The "princess" loving her desk!
Happy Birthday, sweet girl! I love you!
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