Something to write about

I have been trying to think of something blog worthy to write about, should it be how the kids are playing with Lee's old Star Wars toys (they were in a huge box in his parent's attic), or maybe these great books that I have recently read and can't stop thinking about (Olive Kitteridge and The House at Sugar Beach), or the enjoyment I have found in reading the Percy Jackson books (they are like the Harry Potter books but deal with mythology instead of wizardry) or how much I have going on before the middle of November? Before then I am training and walking in the Komen 3 Day for the Cure (walking 60 miles in 3 days) with my mom, helping with Madeleine's school's participation in the National PTA Reflections Art Program, helping as the classroom rep for Madeleine's class (I send reminder emails to the parents), and oh yes, working for the church 20 hours a week... But instead, I will blog about the slice of heaven that I tasted today when I ordered the dipped cone from McDonald's after picking Madeleine up from school. When this deliciousness was placed in my hands the chocolate was still warm, and as it hardened it became more delectable with every bite. So very tasty!!!

Why is your stomach not a private part?

What wonderful conversations you have with your children when you least expect it! In the bath last night Madeleine asked me what your private parts were. I told her the parts and she said that the counselor at school said that anything that was covered up by a bathing suit was a private part. So, she wondered aloud, was your stomach a private part or not? I said that it was not a private part and then she wanted to know why. Why is your stomach not a private part? I remember someone shared with me once to only answer the question that they are asking, do not go into great detail because children just want to know the answer to the question that they are asking. Oh, this growing up thing is going to be so fun!

My sister is 40!

September 10, 1970 my sister Kristin Joy Sumpter was born. I didn't know her until four years later when I was born, but I can not imagine my life without her. When we were growing up I did not know what a blessing and a treasure my sister was, but as I have gotten older and wiser I give God thanks daily for the gift of my sister. When she left for college it was the first time in my life that I realized that her presence could not be taken for granted. I missed her! So, I am blessed that we live 1 1/2 miles away from each other and our kids are best buddies. Kristin Joy Sumpter Rutherford, I am so glad that you are my sister and I can not imagine my life without you in it. Happy Birthday!!!

my sister visiting me when Lee and I lived in England in 2002, this was at Leeds Castle


my sister and me at our Grandpa Sumpter's in Florida

at her 35th birthday party, how did she turn 40 so fast?

Play ball with me mommy!

Everett loves to play ball and jump in his bed. So, we combined the two. Excuse how dark it is, but here's a movie to show off his talents... at the end he is shouting "Goal!"...

Sleep

Sleep. Oh, how I miss you. I used to be able to sleep for twelve hours. Straight. No problem. I do not know whether to blame my children or my age (I am only 35!), but sleep does not come so peacefully anymore. I do not seem to have any trouble falling asleep (when I finally fall into the bed), but every night I say aloud, "Why do I stay up so late?" The kids are usually all quiet by 8 pm (the goal is 7:30 pm) but there is something about being able to do whatever I want to do and whatever I need to do that makes me stay up and not want to go to sleep. The kids are asleep, now I can surf the internet, do the dishes, fold the clothes, watch a TV show, read a book. Why would I only want to do that for two hours when I could do it for four?

But, then, I am awake. It is dark outside, maybe 2 am or 3 am and there my 6 year old is standing right beside my side of the bed quietly saying, "Mommy, are you awake?" It might be that my 2 year old is screaming, "Mommy! Daddy!" at the top of his lungs. It might be that I woke up and I had to pee! I used to be able to sleep twelve hours straight, I promise, I really did.

Right now we are animal less in our home. We talk about getting a dog or a cat, but then, I would get even less sleep! Sleep, I love you and I miss you.

The best part about my day

At Madeleine's elementary school the parents have an opportunity to come read to the class each week. Last year I was in charge of soliciting volunteers and I made all the sign ups sheets and forgot to sign up first, so I read to Madeleine's kindergarten class in April! This year I got smart, I signed up before I put the sign-up sheets out! Meet the Teacher was last night when the parents come to learn about what the kids do during the day and I had the sign-up sheets ready to go (with my name already in a slot to read to the class in December). When I picked the sheets up at the end of the night, no one had signed up to read to the class today, so I asked if I could bring Everett with me and we got to read to the class today.

It was so much fun! Madeleine's school has 1st and 2nd graders together (and 3rd and 4th together and 5th and 6th together), so there were 44 children (22 1st graders and 22 2nd graders) sitting as quietly as could be on the reading rug. I put Everett next to me in a chair and then when Madeleine saw me she wanted to sit next to me too. I read Madeline and told the children how in France you spell Madeleine with another e like we did but how in America you spell it Madeline. (Eyes were glazing over and at lunch three of the kids said Madeleine's name incorrectly which they had not done before). We spell her name the French way but say it the American way (yes, she will be in therapy later in life).

Then, I read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. The children were rapt. A few said that they had read it before, but to read this book about the future and our world made me all goosebumpy. These children are the future and our world will be affected for the better or the worse by them.

Last, I read Read All About It written by Laura and Jenna Bush. It is a really cute book about a boy who does not like the library.

So, tonight when it was my turn to share the best part about my day, being the parent reader was my answer. What was the best part about your day?

It takes a village

Yesterday I had a near panic attack. The Pediatric Surgery Center called with the time for Everett's surgery. We were supposed to be 30 minutes away from our house in Plano at 6:15 am for Everett's surgery. Who would stay with Madeleine after 5:45 am? Who would make sure Madeleine got to school? AHHH!

I thought of all the possibilities: Lee had already arranged to take the day off of work, he could stay with Madeleine while I took Everett to surgery. But last December when Everett had his first round of tubes put in his ears, my mom had come with me and I sat in the backseat with Everett while he threw up on the drive home. I told another mom my dilemma while I was waiting for Madeleine to get out of school and she said that we could just bring a bucket for him. Yes, I could drive Everett by myself for his surgery. But this was a bigger surgery. Yes, they were putting another round of tubes in his ears, but they were also going to remove his adenoids which meant 10 more minutes under anesthesia and they would be putting a breathing tube down his throat. Last time as he was waking up from anesthesia it was so scary, he was like a rag doll and was not like himself at all. I did not want to go through that alone.

It did not seem like I had any other option, but then I began to think of all the people that would be willing to come help. I could ask someone to keep Madeleine over night and then take her to school in the morning. I could ask our wonderful babysitter from church to come spend the night and make sure Madeleine got to school. I decided to call my dad and stepmom who live about an hour away to see if they would be willing to spend the night. They had been planning to drive to the surgical center anyway, but I had been telling them that the surgery would probably be at 9 am like the time before, 6:15 am was another matter entirely! They immediately offered to spend the night and be in charge of Madeleine.

I give God thanks for the village that surrounds us. For the friends, neighbors, and family that would help us at a moment's notice. I give thanks for the wonderful Pediatric Surgery Center that took care of Everett for the second time (first time was last December). I give thanks for Everett's immune system that knew his ear tubes were a foreign body and kicked them out of his ears after 6 months, but immune system could you please learn to love the ear tubes. Please stay in Everett's ears longer this time! The average kid keeps them in for a year! Please be average!

I give thanks for alarm clocks that woke us up at 5:15 am. I give thanks for Everett who heard us getting ready and started moving around on his own at 5:30 am. I give thanks that he never fussed when we went in his room to get him ready and I give thanks that everything went great during the surgery. The doctor said that Everett's adenoids were enlarged and inflamed and that his ear drum had sunken-in due to negative pressure. I pray that this surgery will make a difference and that in a month when Everett takes his next hearing test he will hear the high pitched sounds that he did not hear during his last hearing test.

Right now Everett is taking his nap, I am so glad that even though we got the prescription for the baby Vicodin filled, the pharmacy said it was okay if we didn't take it since we didn't feel like Everett needed it. And Everett did not throw up on the way home!

Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your burden on the Lord, and God will sustain you."