Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Katie and the Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Have you ever had the chance to read Alexander and the Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day? (I know I'm supposed to underline book titles, but I'm not techy and can't figure out how to do it on the blog page). Anyway, back to the point, it is one of the funniest children’s books I’ve ever read. When I used to read it to my 1st grade class, they loved it and chuckled every time I read it.

Poor Alexander woke up to a day of utter mishaps. I’ve also had those days when one bad thing leads to another. My 1st graders knew what those days were like too. Perhaps their daily troubles were not as mounting as our grown-up ones, but problems are problems no matter how big or small you are.

Today was one of those days for me. Well, to be completely honest and risk sounding like Debby the Downer, the last few weeks have been a combination of those days. The kids have been endlessly sick and we’re still living with half concrete floors downstairs. At least the other half is the wood and not the tolerable ugly carpet. But as you know, if you’ve been reading along as I write, Kevin hurt his back and then he got sick too. Like I said, it’s been one thing after another.

I have to admit that I’m not very patient when my husband gets sick. I think I may have even said something along the lines of, “I can’t take care of you right now. I have 3 sick kids to take care of.” Ouch. Bad wife.

But after a few days, I realized he is really sick. Not just sick, but sick-sick. It has been almost a week and he still has a fever, sore throat, and now he has hives and his entire face is swollen.

This is how my handsome hubby usually looks:



Ever see the movie "Hitch"? Well, this is how Kevin looks now:



Not pretty.

So he went to the doctor for the 2nd time this week. He’s having an allergic reaction to his pain medication for his throat. Now he’s all drugged up on steroids and an antibiotic. The house is still a mess (I’m letting it go-really, I am), and the kids are missing their dad.

To top it off, Charlie (3) had his 1st swim lesson today and almost drowned. I am not exaggerated a bit.

The swim instructor was at one end of the pool with a swimmer approaching her when Charlie decided he could not hold his enthusiasm back any longer and jumped off the step and into the deeper water. I was chasing Jack (2) around the yard, when I heard Luke (7) (also in the lesson) screaming, “no Charlie, don’t do that!” I turned around to see Charlie face down, floating in the pool. Still.

My heart stopped, I started sprinting with Jack dangling at my side and I shouted at Luke to grab him as the swim instructor swam quickly to grab him. This happened in a matter of seconds. Charlie was startled but okay. Thank God. I still don’t think my heart has resumed beating yet.

You would think that an event like that would cause us all to appreciate one another more, even just for the day…but not my boys. They came home and fought over everything. It didn’t matter what it was. I was too wiped out to care.

Ever have those days?

By the time Kevin got home with his stash of meds, Luke and I dashed to cub scouts. After an initial protest by Luke, he agreed to let me come, but only as Dad’s “substitute." I’m chopped liver in this house. Well, except when they have nightmares in the middle of the night, when they are bleeding, or vomiting… then I’m beckoned. Then only Mom will do. I may not be fun, but I am comfort.

Just before leaving for cubs, I fed two kids McDonald’s…sign of desperation #1. And for Charlie, the kid who won’t eat anything? He had toast and strawberries. ..sign of desperation #2.

I figured, the kid didn’t drown in the pool today, a little toast for dinner wasn’t going to hurt him.

It’s ALL perspective, my friends.

7 comments:

Greta said...

There have been days when someone has toast for every meal. Or cheese and crackers.
i will pray for you all, my friend.
Love form,
Greta

Kat said...

First, I am sorry about your week(s).
Second, I am in love with that book. I quoted it so often my mom bought it for my kids. My favorite line "Mom says some days are just like this, even in Australia".

Kellee the Caffeinated said...

OMG my kids start swim lessons on Thurs and now I am having to breathe out of a paper bag!!!

I am so glad that Charlie is okay!!!

I have those days way too often!!!

I am 'chopped liver' in my house as well!!! Dad is considered God in our house... Yet I am the one that cleans the cuts and scrapes, washes the puke off of them, cleans up the messes, feeds them, & comforts them when they are upset... I just don't get it!

Stephanie said...

Oh Katie, I can soo understand being a mom of three boys as well!! Hang in there my friend, it will get better! Big hugs and lots of prayers being sent your way.

MA said...

I know I had many a days and weeks like yours. Fortunately my memory fails me from time to time and the Horrible, Terrible, No good, very bad days are further from my mind. God protects us from recalling EVERY memory.

Leah said...

ah man katie. tough. i'm so glad to hear your son is okay. i can't imagine how scary that must have felt! i pray that kevin is feeling better now too.

Anonymous said...

Oh Katie ,did you bring back 30 year old memories of my three boys! We lived in OC and had a "club" with three pools, John was 5 and taking swim lessons at the childrens pool and I was standing in the baby pool watching 3 year old Timmy with 1 year old Mark sitting in-between my feet! Talking to a friend, I looked downand saw Mark laying at the bottom of the 2' deep pool with his eyes wide open, my heart stopped.