Wanted: Bad Mom Stories

For those of you that have been reading for a while, you might remember this little guy and his Mama. If not, go ahead and get caught up. I'll be here when you get back.

Well, he has grown a lot since then, and is getting to be quite a mobile little tyke. As all of you experienced parents out there know, these are fun and exciting times in the life of a baby, but can be somewhat stressful and guilt filled for parents. Mobility has its' perks to be sure, but it also allows that cute little lump of a baby to get to places and into things that were never a worry before. Even if we do everything right, there will inevitably be the occasional tumble and head bonk, which is heart breaking enough. Unfortunately, due to our human-ness, we eventually forget something in the babyproofing process. After all, it's been a long time since we parents were little cruisers.

This leads me to the email I received from my cousin yesterday. The subject line was....Wanted: Bad Mom Stories. At first I thought she was just forwarding on some cute email designed to bring a chuckle to us Moms that make a mistake or two now and then. But alas, no. She was sharing her real life experience with Kenny yesterday, and pleading with any other Moms out there to share one of their own "Bad Mom" stories to soothe her guilty heart. Here it is; presented in hope you will find some empathy for my sweet cousin in your Mommy hearts....

Hello,

I had my first "bad mom" experience yesterday. After giving Kenny his first bottle of the day, I put him down and let him go. I took care of a few chores in the kitchen and then my bladder told me to find the nearest bathroom. As has become custom in my home, I went to the hallway bathroom and left the door open. Usually, Kenny follows me and by the time he pops his head in the doorway, I have just about finished. Yesterday was different. He did not follow me. I heard him crying. It was a pain-filled cry. I finished my business and quickly made my way down the hallway to the kitchen to find my son. He was not in the kitchen. It took me a moment to figure out that the crying was coming from the other side of me--from the stairway. I looked down to find Kenny hanging from the balusters. Apparently, I forgot to put the gate up. How horrible is that? My thanks to God for looking after my child even when I failed to do so. Kenny is fine, actually he stopped crying when he saw and heard me crying. Thanks to my friend, Sue, who calmed me down so that I could resume mothering.

Then it occurred to me that I could not possibly be the only one to make a stupid mistake. Will you share yours with me--it would make me feel better and maybe even give me a chuckle. I have attached a picture of Pooh bear assuming the position in which I found Kenny. Maybe you'll find it as funny as my husband did.

Julie

So dear blog readers, for my cousin (and a future "Bad Mom" day for me), bring on the "Bad Mom" stories!! 8^)

By the way, just in case you were worried, here are a couple pictures of Kenny happy and healthy. Thanks for being such a good sport Julie!!

Showing Our Support

So, no sooner had we explained my Mom's current circumstances to the kids, they were already trying to think of ways to show their support and increase awareness. I LOVE these kids!! You see, when we were waiting for our referral for Grace from Ethiopia, I learned about "The One Campaign". We immediately ordered, and proudly wore, our white "One" bracelets. We even passed them out to our friends and family. It seemed the least we could do as we waited for our baby girl to come home because of the intense poverty that is found in Ethiopia and so many other places in the world. This past Summer, my Sister-in-law stayed with us for a few months. While she was here, she took an African History class through BYU Idaho. During her course of study, she learned a lot about what is going on in Darfur, Sudan. We learned right along with her. Before long, we were all sporting the green "Save Darfur" bracelets. Lest you think this is just a trendy thing at our house, these bracelets have been worn until they broke, or until there was someone else found with a passion for the cause so they could be passed on. So, back to the situation at hand. I have been assigned the task of finding pink bracelets for the family, as we all await the outcome of Grandma Carroll's surgery and follow-up treatment. By the way, my oldest son was actually the first one to request the pink bracelets, so this is not about me torturing my boys by making them wear pink. 8^)

This morning I sat down to search out the best place to make our purchase. I was concerned with two things. I didn't want to spend a fortune on some simple rubber bracelets, but I also wanted to know that a portion of my purchase would go toward the fight against breast cancer. Imagine my surprise when I got all of these results on the very first page of my search....

Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Ribbon Shop

Healing Ribbons - For the Mind, the Heart and the Spirit

Beads for a Cure

Breast Cancer Bracelets - Fine Jewelry, Gifts, and Collectibles

Custom Designer Jewelry and Cancer Awareness Jewelry by Elisa Ilana

Breast Cancer Merchandise Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Bracelets - Dangle, toggle and bangle bracelets...

Shop to Benefit The Breast Cancer Site

Cancer Awareness: Red Rock Designs

Not every one of these sites fit my first condition of not spending a fortune, but they all fit my second condition of benefiting the fight against breast cancer. Each one also carries some beautiful things. Go check them out, and support the cause. We will too.

The Call

So, I got the call. The call from my Mom, that is. I thought about calling her Thursday evening, but couldn't quite bring myself to do it. I guess I figured if there was anything too serious, she would call me. Instead, I took a nap...from 5 to 8:30 pm. Yikes! So not like me!! On Friday morning, I got a call from my Dad, inquiring as to what was going on with my Mom. I hadn't heard yet, so after a few minutes of chit-chat, hung up and took a shower before Grace woke up. As soon as I was dressed, I heard Grace calling from her crib, and very shortly after that the phone was ringing again. This time, it was my Step-Mom (Diane), also inquiring about my Mom. Since I still didn't know anything, and I had to pick up my Middle School kids in 10 minutes because of their minimum day, I wrapped up the conversation quickly. Keep in mind, even in my hurry, it was not lost on me who was making these concerned calls. I don't want to misrepresent anything here, but 10 years ago, my Dad and Step-Mom might not have cared a whole lot about what was going on with my Mom. The relationships had been strained (to say the least) for a VERY long time. I am so blessed to be part of a family that has cared enough to work through the trials and tribulations, and responded when God called us to heal the broken spots.

So, back to the subject at hand. My Mom called just after I got home from picking up the oldest kids from school. Fortunately, they had just left on a walk with the little ones, and I had a few minutes to myself. It wasn't easy to hear my Mom's news, but I did feel a sort of supernatural lifting of my spirit that was completely beyond me at the moment. She explained the medical science and terminlogy for everything. I listened, trying to be brave, but felt a couple of warm tears trickle down my cheeks. Finally, I heard her say "bi-lateral mastectomy" and "chemo". She said that the doctor had been very clear that "this is VERY treatable", and "science has come SOOO far in the last few years", but I still felt afraid. I had to laugh when she explained that the "bi-lateral" part was not because she needed it, but because she wanted her "tits" to match. Only my mother!!! Not that I can blame her. In the interest of fending off future breast cancer, and looking pretty (ok, so I'm a little vain too), I would probably do the same thing. 8^)

She will meet with the plastic surgeon next week, and likely have her surgery (mastectomy and reconstruction all in one) after March 24th (her and my Step-Dad's Anniversary). Yeah, they're still romantics after all this time!! Thanks to all of you that have offered up your good thoughts, well wishes, prayers, and even wearing your breast cancer bracelets. Every one of you mean the world to me, my Mom and our family. Please keep it up!

By the way, we have chosen to be very open with our kids about this matter. It has not always been easy to have the conversations with them, but so far, they seem to have taken the news very well. I feel so fortunate to have the relationships that we do with our kids. We have always tried to foster open, honest communication with them, and they have not disappointed (ok, maybe shocked) us with their questions and observations so far. Please be sure to keep them in prayer as well, as you consider our family over the coming weeks. Thanks!

Blaine

Just in Time (For Us Anyway)

I got a couple days behind on my email, but when I popped back into cyberspace today, I was greeted by some very happy news. According to
this article on MSNBC.com, Disney is set to release the animated movie, "The Frog Princess", in 2009. It is set in the French Quarter in New Orleans, and will feature the very first Black Disney Princess ever, Maddy!!
Obviously, this move by Disney is a long time in coming, but for Grace, the timing couldn't be more perfect. I am sad for all the little girls that have grown up without a princess to look up to, but am thrilled that Grace will have this lovely character to relate to as she goes through those fun, imaginative preschool years. Yeah Disney!!!

You're the Best!!

As mentioned by my Mom in this comment......

Grandma Carroll said...
or first known as Blaine's mom. I cannot begin to tell you how much all you prayers mean to me. I have truly been blessed by a very special husband, wonderful family, an extended family, church family, and friends (known and unknown). The Lord is definitely the director of this play no matter what the ending is. He has blessed me with so much and has used my life to glorify Him many times, and I have perfect faith that this situation is just another piece of history in my life. I have at least 7 grandchildren to be with as they grow up, one son left to get married, and a bunch more grandkids to spoil from my other two children. I have always planned on being around long enough to have my children support me in the style I want to be accustomed to, and those plans have not changed. Much Love to All.

......you all are the best!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Health and Progress

So, today was the day for Grace's 18 month Well Baby Check-up. She was ready for the occasion. She was healthy, and free of bumps, bruises and scratches. She was right on track (if not a little bit advanced) on the developmental scale. She was right at the 50th percentile for height and head circumference, and just under that for weight. She truly has caught up to her American peers! She even has 2 teeth, with signs of another coming through soon.

She is running instead of walking. She climbs everything. She has for more than the 6-10 words required by the developmental standards. Heck, just the names of her family members (and dog) take up 7 spots. The only place she falls behind a little is in the digestive area. She is willing to try all table foods. In fact, she is quite enthusiastic about most of them. The only problem is, if she eats too much of anything, she pitches it all back up. Not my favorite thing to mention, but real nonetheless. The doctor did not seem concerned. As long as the growth and development are on target, he feels the digestive issues are the lone hold out from Grace's days in Ethiopia, and will soon catch up. Since she is a healthy, happy girl overall, We have decided to put our worry aside along with the doctor.

Some final good news. We have finished our 9 months of meds for Latent TB. No more INH!!! We have a healthy, happy 18 month old little girl. According to the doctor, the only follow-up required will be a chest x-ray every 3-4 years, just like other people would have a PPD skin test. Yippee!!!

To keep track of some of Grace's Ethiopian peers, please go
here, here and here. All seems to be well. 8^)

Back to Pink

Unbeknownst to me, before my Mom came out to visit in February, she had an abnormal mammogram. That was followed up by a biopsy this week that confirmed her worst fears. The doctors are using the "C" word. She received a referral for an MRI and a visit to a surgeon in the next week. So far, the talk seems to be centering on a lumpectomy and some radiation. We'll see what the verdict is after the latest round of tests. Please pray. This is my Mom. I'm sure you all understand.