Shots to the Heart

We recently had to take the kids to the doctor for their yearly physicals. And for Lucy that meant pre-kindergarten shots. We decided not to mention that part when we told the kids about the appointment. They both like their doctor and the nursing staff at the clinic, so they didnt really suspect that anything was up. 

The time came, and we piled in the car in a hurry, since we are generally always late. Hudson and Lucy naive to what lay ahead, excitedly jabbering about what stickers they would pick from the sticker box. G and I stopped and got them each a smoothie from the hospital cafe and skipped up to the appointment. 

Everything was going fine, Hudson was flirting with the girls at the reception desk and Lucy was showing off her stylish (self picked) outfit. They called our names and in we went.

Lucy went first. She impressed the doctor with her abc skills, sight reading, and shape recognition. Then she got a little bit anxious and started to jump around the exam room. That's when things started to get interesting. I stood up to settle Lucy down when she put her hands up and said, very convincingly, "no! don't hit me!"

Great. Perfect. My actress of a daughter everybody. Thanks. A lot. Thank god the doctor laughed it off with us and suggested that the nurse take Lucy to other room to check her eyes while we moved on to Hudson.

Hudson proudly began to answer the doctors questions. Not as impressing as Lucy. When asked how old he was, he responded proudly "3!" When asked about what color the doctor was wearing he shouted "black!" And when asked to do his abc's he started with, "a,b,c, x,p,w,z!" Can't win 'em all, can ya? Considering the fact that he is 2, the doctor was wearing a green shirt, and well, we all know our abc's, except Hudson I guess. 

Just when you though the fun was over, the good doctor mentioned that word we all hate, shots. Yep she had to say it, didnt she? That's when 3 nurses walked in and asked me to take Hudson out into the hall while G stayed with little Lucy. I agreed, not wanting to have to be the one to hold her down.

Having prepared for this moment, I had packed some of the kids favorite lollipops for diversion. It worked on Hudson for about 3 seconds and didnt work for Lucy- at all. She saw right through us and her fear was crippling. I melted. Hearing the screams, Hudson started to cry. He tried so hard to get back into that room. His little hands grabbed my face as he starred into my eyes, with tears in his, he cried, "mom help my giggy!" As I held his sad little body in my arms, I cried with him. 

When the door finally opened, about a lifetime later, Hudson ran in- pushing through the crowd of nurses. He hugged Lucy and said, ever so sweetly, "it's ok giggy, no more shots."

G and I stood there, crying. How precious that this little boy loved his sister so much. How strong for this little boy to stand up to those mean nurses and protect his big sissy. I felt so much pride for them at that moment. Lucy embraced Hudson and they hugged for what seemed like a beautiful eternity. At that point nothing else mattered. These angels even had the nurses crying. 

All of this love and beauty lasted until the nurses offered the kids more lollipops and they began to fight over colors. Nothing lasts forever, right?

But I have the memory. It made me wish that I was closer with my siblings. It made me hopeful for them as forever friends. It made me happy.

Who Cares?!?

Our summer is blowing by. I can't believe next week will be August. Living in Wisconsin has made me appreciate the few months of warmth that the frozen tundra is allowed by Mother Nature. In fact, I'm sitting in the sun writing this as my kids run through the sprinkler (naked). 

But anyways. What this warm weather has really done for me is got me thinking. Thinking about swim suits. And swim suits make me think about women. And women make me think about beauty and how beauty is what we make it. 

I am noticing a trend when it comes to conversations that I am having with other women this summer. Women from work. Women at the pool. Friends. Family. The common denominator seems to be insecurity. 

Insecurity with their bodies. Their appearance. Their parenting. Their beauty. It makes me sad. Just this past week, I have had more than 3 conversations with friends who have admitted to these insecurities. And why? Why are women so damn insecure?

I mean c'mon! What's all the fuss about? All of these women that I have been around are attractive, smart, and funny wives, mothers- women. All of them. 

What makes us beautiful isn't what other people think. Especially men. Men are dumb. Lets face it- without us men are nothing. They wouldn't be lovers, or fathers, or companions. And they would all be walking around in dirty underwear if it wasn't for us women.

And women. Women need to stop being so hard on other women. Women need to quit judging other women- for their parenting, their way of life, their marriages, their appearance. Women should spend way more time supporting other women instead of knocking each other down. It's pathetic. Who cares if your thighs jiggle. Who cares if your boobs are too small or too big. Who cares if you let your kids stay up late. Who cares if you let your kids run through the sprinklers (naked). Who really cares? 

We are all special and beautiful is our own ways. We are strong, capable, and caring. So why do we spend so much time caring about negative things? Lets change our focus and care about beautiful things. About being loyal wives, and supportive friends, loving mothers, and proud daughters. Lets be the women we all want to be.

Cause you know what? I'm a pear shaped mother of two with battle wounds and c-section scars. But my husband digs me. My kids love me. My friends support me. And my parents are proud of me.

I'm beautiful. Damnit! 

Peace and Love,

-A

Me? Write a Blog For You? Ok!

I recently was asked to be a guest blogger for a website called Nucopiamom.com, a website run by a friend of mine. At first I had no idea what to write about. And then I realized- who am I kidding? I've got tons of shit to write about! 

So read about it and check out Nucopiamom's website here:http://fb.me/2HLPAaVGr

Thanks again Kelly- it was fun!!!

So the craziest thing happened to me the other day. I woke up, my house was a disaster, my husband was snoring, and there was a 5 year old angel sleeping in my bed. Wait. I'm married? And I have a 5 year old? I can't believe it. I'm not mature enough to be a mom, let alone have a 5 year old! 

As I sat there surveying the circus that is my life, I couldn't help but think about the last 5 years. My marriage. My family. The places I have been. The things I have learned. I know its a cliche, but how did 5 years blow by so fast.

In 5 years I have settled into married life. Had 2 beautiful children. Worked to help raise my step son. Graduated from nursing school. Started graduate school. Traveled the country. Bought a house. Moved. And moved again. Fought with loved ones. Made up. And fought again. I have seen great happiness and dealt with suffocating darkness.

But the lessons that I have learned go beyond those things. Becoming a wife, and mother, has taught me lessons that can't be learned any other way. Creating my own family has been my greatest accomplishment yet...

(This article was inspired by the recent milestone birthday of my 5 year old daughter. Check out the full article at http://fb.me/2HLPAaVGr)

Peace and Love,
-A