Fiveberries in Texas wrote the funniest blog line I’ve read in the last week. I just had to share it with you. She wrote, “When you have a baby, lots of stuff comes out, but the crazy stays in.” Thank goodness I wasn’t drinking anything when I read it or my screen would need a good cleaning. It’s so true. My crazy stayed in and I’ve been adding to my collection through the years!

You can check out the whole post here.

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Well, let’s start answering the questions. The first series came from Dawn. She asked, “Ok, in alot of households where the hubby holds one of those “service” type jobs… i.e. pc technician, electrician, carptenter, his own family/house is usually the last one to receive those services. So, do your kids get their checkups/immunizations on time? Is your hubby their ped?”

Great series of questions, Dawn! I’m actually spoiled rotten having Mike here and available to answer questions and diagnose problems. Hardly a week goes by when i don’t point something out. “Is this a wart?” “Did you notice that rash?” “Why does she still have a fever?” “Do you think this bruise is indicative of leukemia?” By the way, the answers are: “yes” “contact dermatitis” “because she has a virus” and “no, that’s from when he fell off his bike…..he does NOT have leukemia!” So while it’s nice to have him here to give me answers, sometimes his lack of concern frustrates me. Ok, ok, to be fair, it’s probably not “lack of concern,” probably more like “lack of hysteria.” But it turns out, he’s always been right!

It’s also nice to have him here to do quick “sick visits.” Ear ache? He grabs the otoscope. Sore throat? He swabs a throat and takes the test into work to run it. Belly pain? Check for appendicitis then tell me it’s probably constipation. Saves me a bunch of time driving 30 minutes into the office and back.

But the kids do have their own pediatrician for their well visits. And if there is something serious requiring follow up testing or a referral to a specialist, then off we go to our regular pediatrician (who practices with Mike and happened to be Mike’s pediatrician when he was a boy.*) Plus Mike says if there was something more complex than an ear infection or a sore throat, he would want someone a bit more objective taking care of the kids.

The kids also get their yearly well checks on time and they always have gotten their immunizations. That is one downfall of having him as a doc. There is no refusing immunizations or even delaying them until I can think about it more. His logic is, “How can I recommend immunizations to my patients if my own kids don’t get them?” He has a good point. Not that I’d refuse them, because he has done an excellent job of brainwashing explaining how they work and why they are so important

So I hope that answered your questions, Dawn.

*When Mike first applied for the job I said, “Isn’t that going to be weird to work with him? After all, he’s seen you naked.” HA!

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This post is a submission in the MamaBlogga Group Writing Project. The assignment was to finish this phrase: “Three things I want my kids to…….”

So here goes:

Three things I want my kids to………consider before choosing their spouse.

Kids, as I’m writing this, your dad and I have been married for nearly 16 years. We’ve had our moments of bliss and our moments of agony, but by the grace of God we’ve gotten through each hurdle stronger than we were before. There are some things I want you to consider before making this life-changing decision.

Marriage is forever. This is not something you blindly jump into. New love makes you oblivious to the underlying issues; this is a fact. Take your time and look at things from an objective point of view. Chances are you won’t be able to see things from this angle because of the whole “Love is Blind” thing. So I strongly encourage you to seek the advice of others who are close to you–preferably those who are older and wiser and those who have been married for quite some time. When they tell you something that doesn’t fit into your view of your intended spouse, it’s not because they are trying to break the two of you apart, it’s because they can see things objectively and with many more years of experience. Talk to your boyfriend/girlfriend about things deeper than sports scores and weather. Speak of your dreams, your goals, your passions. Learn about his or her faith, what makes them tick, and watch how they interact with their own mother and father. Does this person do anything illegal, immoral, or impolite? Red flags are a sign of warning. Consider everything before saying, “I do.” I never want you to think, “I wish I hadn’t.”

Marriage is not easy. Sure, movies and books portray fairy tale lives, but in the real world, it’s not so simple. It’s something you need to work on and to set as a priority. Marriage has a way of changing your perspective. What once seemed “cute” now will become “annoying.” As a dating couple it may have seemed exciting that he was a free spirit without a rigid schedule, but when you’re expecting him for dinner and he doesn’t come home on time (for the 15th time that month) it’s going to become irritating. Communication is key. Speak about your needs and desires without accusing. Learn how to fight fairly. How does this person spend money? Frivolously or responsibly? Money issues are one of the top reasons for divorce. Get on the same page before you’re married. If there are issues with anything, talk it out. If this doesn’t work, seek counsel from someone before it gets too complicated. Years of bitterness and resentment are hard to overcome. Better to nip it in the bud. Marriage is not easy, but it’s worth fighting for.

Marriage is not about the wedding. Marriage is forever (see above). The wedding is just one day. It’s the day that commemorates the beginning of a union. It is not the end-all-be-all goal. It’s not about the size of the hall or the sweetness of the frosting on the cake. It’s not about which DJ you pick or how expensive the bride’s dress is. Look at the celebrities in Hollywood. They throw lavish weddings with expensive features and yet their marriages end in divorce so many times. And I’ve seen simple weddings in small towns with modestly decorated churches. The brides wore dresses that were purchased from clearance racks (with no designer tags!) I’ve attended receptions where the focus of the celebration was the bride and the groom and their guests. It wasn’t on the pile of gifts or the teetering cake or the quality of the food that was served. And these marriages are going strong today. Not that simple weddings and modestly priced dresses guarantee success, but it shows the focus is beyond that one day. The focus is on the couple, the union, and the love.

I want for you, my children, to grow up happy and healthy. I want your decisions to be made after prayer and careful consideration. I want you to find spouses that bring out the best in you, truly love you, and support you through the years. I want you to find utter happiness in that one person whom you were meant to be with forever. Don’t settle. Don’t marry because it’s the right thing to do, or because your friends are doing it, or because you’re pressured to do it. Do it because it’s right for you, and it’s right with God.

There are so many more things I want you to know about marriage, but there is time. After all, KT, you will not be allowed to marry until you are 35. Nick, you don’t need to worry about finding your mate, we will find her for you. After all, we need to make sure we get a wonderful daughter-in-law!

Love,
Mom

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This week’s theme was tough for me. I went through 7 years of pictures and nothing jumped out and said, “Hey! Look at me! I’m shiny.” Then Nick and I took a field trip to the Franklin Park Conservatory for the annual butterfly garden exhibit. In the “chrysalis preparation” area, I spotted these–from the Tithorea tarricina butterfly from Costa Rica! So I snapped a picture with today’s Photohunt in mind. Of course, like most things, they were more impressive in real life, but I think you’ll still see that they shine! Beautiful!

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I’m very surprised. It’s now 4:15 p.m., and I haven’t heard Mike say his predictable line yet. Like clockwork, on June 22nd he says, “The days are starting to get shorter.” He knows how much my mental health cherishes these longer days of summer. He’s always sure to point out the fact that between now and December 21st, I’ll get a bit more crazy every day. It’s 4:15 p.m. and if he doesn’t say it between now and midnight, it’ll be the first time he hasn’t said it in 15 years. He’s getting soft in his old age.

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