Reunited and It Feels So Good

Today, Mommy didn't bother to wake Daddy to see how he was recovering from his oral surgery.  Daddy was swollen and out of it yesterday when he finally made it home…thanks again Sister Kelly. Bodhi, you now take showers (with Mommy).  You prefer showers to baths now that you've turned four :/  You are growing up way too fast!  Mommy dropped you two off at Grandmoo’s and then headed to work (in town).  Mommy administered two parenting assessment tests, and then stopped by the Humane Society.  Mommy had a dream last night that Garfield had been brought home, but Mommy was sad to awaken and realize Garfield wasn't home L  So, Mommy stopped by, after having called them yesterday to see if he was brought in, and I really didn’t have any expectations that he would be there…HOWEVER, as soon as I walked in the back room there he was!!!  I hugged the worker, and squealed “GARRRRFIELD!” 

Garfield’s little face was banged up with scratches.  He looked like he had been through the ringer!  Mommy had them check to see what street the lady that turned Garfield in lived on.  Yep, he most definitely fell out from under Mommy’s car!  She lived on Washington Street, right where I suspected Garfield had fallen, rolled, and dodged cars L  Poor guy!  He most certainly lost one of his nine lives, but Mommy is thankful he is ok!  I’m also so thrilled that a lady took the time to turn him in, a little bit of Mommy’s faith in humanity was restored!  Mommy had a microchip implanted in Garfield and whisked him home to be reunified with his depressed and lost sister, Sundae.  Mommy called Grandmoo and gave her the great news and she shared with the two of you J  It was a happy day!  Sundae was beside herself, pouncing on her long lost brother, and Garfield appeared to be relieved to be home.  He spent one night and one day away from home in the big bad scary world.  Mommy is so thankful he was ok and back home!

Mommy then went back to work, but then made time to take Dora to get her updated Rabies Vaccine.  Mommy then took Dora and Sundae to have a microchip implanted in them as well.  After taking care of our feline family members, Mommy turned her attention to Daddy.  Mommy dreaded and grudgingly went grocery shopping to stock up on soups and other special “Daddy requests.”  After unloading and putting all of our groceries away, Mommy went to retrieve the two of you from Grandmoo.  You two had meatloaf for dinner, one of your Grandmoo favorites J  Jude, you were sporting some of Grandmoo’s shorts, and you looked hilarious!  She had to tie them and so one of your bum cheeks were hanging out, you truly looked like you were about to participate in a gay pride parade ha/ha!  Grandmoo was so embarrassed that Mommy allowed you to play out front in the shorts.  You two had played outside all day, and she did not want her neighbors to see you looking so crazy in your short shorts.  Mommy didn't care ha/ha!  Mommy took you both home.  Jude, you went to bed with Daddy.  Bodhi, you went to the store with Mommy to pick up some new kitty collars, an extension cord, and some other supplies.  We then came home and you, Bodhi, gave Garfield some extra lovin’s and cuddled with Sundae J  You then rode your bike while Mommy gave the felines some extra attention. 

Today was an awesome day!  Both of you agreed and expressed that you had a “great day with Grandmoo.”  Buddha, you tell Mommy at least 50 times a day, “Mommy, I wub you so much.”  J  What a blessed life we have! 

Heartbreaking Monday

Mommy was up early to transport a local client.  Mommy started off with the normal routines...letting the dogs out, unlocking the cat house/scooping poo out of the liter box.  However, Garfield was not in the cat house. He had escaped and Mommy knew he probably freaked out when he couldn't get back inside.  Garfield and Sundae have never spent a night outside of the cat house.  Mommy instantly started yelling and looking everywhere for Garfield.  Mommy started up the car and turned it off, the car always scares Garfield and Sundae.  Mommy had to leave to pick up my client, so I only had a little bit of time to search for Garfield. Well, Mommy was half way to my client's home, when I heard a thump.  Mommy hadn't seen any animals, however, I did see a cat dodging cars behind me in my review mirror.  Mommy initially thought a cat had run into the side of Mommy's car, but then it clicked....oh no, could that have been Garfield?  

The cat looked much bigger, but was the same coloring as Garfield.  Mommy immediately turned around and drove back in search of the cat.  Mommy drove down the road yelling out the window (with my blinkers on) "GARFIELD!"  There was not a cat in sight.  Mommy then hurried to get my client and drop her off at her appointment.  Mommy then returned home to get the two of you, and we conducted a search and rescue effort.  Mommy still not certain that it was Garfield, posted an alert on FB, and continued to look everywhere for Garfield.  Unfortunately, none of our searches resulted in recovering Garfield.  Mommy called the Humane Society, but no Garfield :(

Mommy had a couple of errands to complete with my client this afternoon, and then Mommy returned home with the two of you.  You both wanted to stay with Grandmoo, but Mommy wanted to get home to continue our search.  We returned home where you two played.  Mommy made lasagna, and Sean Franky came over to play with you both.  Grandpa dropped by later in the evening, bringing you, Bodhi, a bag of presents.  Grandpa couldn't make it to your birthday party, he had to work :(  Grandpa bought you two Hello Kitty dolls, and a cool Hello Kitty night light.  You and Buddha loved the night light!  We spent the remainder of the evening outside, hoping that Garfield would find his way home.  By 9:30 p.m. we finally went inside where Mommy gave you both a bath.  Bodhi, you agreed to a bath since you were so dirty.  You are loving showers with Mommy, so Mommy had to really persuade you to take a bath this evening.  Grandpa sat in the bathroom visiting with us while you two played in the bath (our bathroom is huge) hee/hee!  

It was off to dreamland for the two of you.  Mommy attempted to comfort Sundae, who was an absolute wreck that her brother was missing...it truly broke Mommy's heart.  Mommy has never been a cat person, but they certainly have changed Mommy.  I love and care for them just as I do for Allie and Arlo :)

Little Red Riding Hood

Bodhi, today you were little red riding hood, on a trip to see your Grandma Betty. As soon as Daddy got off work, he hurried home to get his traveling companion, little red riding hood Bodhi and joined by Sister Kelly and Brother Aaron we began a journey to Vincennes.

Grandma Betty tragically fell and broke her pelvic bone and is hospitalized at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes (home of the “Alices,” that’s another story). Sister Kelly and Brother Aaron agreed to accompany us for the trip and you insisted that you wanted to go, so with kisses to Mommy and Buddha we were off.

It is a fair journey, usually about a three and a half hour ride, and you are an exceptional traveler Ms. Bodhi. You just sat and gazed out the window and on occasion chatted with the grown-ups. Near Mooresville, we stopped at Poe’s Cafeteria (disappointing) for lunch, then proceeded on our way. We again stopped in Worthington, Indiana just to break up the trip and visited a “general store” where of course you selected some candy for yourself and your brother, even in absentiaJ.

We also took a slight detour as we passed through Grandma Betty’s home town of Bicknell and visited the site of her home, a place Daddy spent a good deal of time visiting as a little boy. Back on the road, we soon were at the hospital and were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by your Aunt Diane and cousin Katie (they both adore you, Ms. Bodhi!) and Katie took you outside to play while Daddy and Sister Kelly and Brother Aaron visited with Grandma Betty. We were also joined by Aunt Terrie, shortly before we left the hospital.

It is difficult for Daddy to write about Grandma Betty, as her condition is heartbreaking to witness. Her memory is clearly impaired as she could not remember Brother Aaron’s name and kept referring to him by a different name (“Steve”—Daddy is guessing she was confusing Aaron with Terrie’s former husband).

After leaving the hospital, we all made a visit to a site where Daddy gathers rocks from Vincennes for Mommy’s rock garden at home, then we made a direct trip home to bring an end to a tiring and difficult day. Sister Kelly and Brother Aaron certainly made this trip more enjoyable, and you our darling baby girl angel, made the trip a wondrous journey.

Love, love, love.

Playing At The Park After Dark :)

Mommy has sadly really fallen behind on your guy's daily blog entries.  Like two-three weeks behind, yikes!  Mommy is now going to attempt to catch up by reviewing my schedule book :)  So, the next 14-16 entries are certain to be "brief."  

Mommy had some local parenting assessments to complete today for work, so the two of you spent time with Grandmoo.  You both love your Grandmoo time exploring, running & playing, getting into anything and everything...the usual Grandmoo routine.  

Mommy called to let Grandmoo know that I had finished early, but she wanted to keep the two of you longer.  This worked out great for Mommy...I had plenty of work to complete :)  Grandmoo walked you two to the park and then clear to our house.  You two had quite the adventure playing at the park after dark :)  You two love your Grandmoo time!

Sweet dreams my sweet sweet babes!

Needy Tuesday

A;lkdjfa;ldkj!!!!!!!  Mommy is in the very bad habit of writing a week’s worth of blogs in a single night.  We’ve been so busy/so stressed/so exhausted and even more frustrating….Mommy has written this very blog 3 times now!  Each time I near the end, it somehow disappears.  I’m now writing it in a word document…because I’m about throw my laptop across the room! 

Anyway,  Aunt Dianna was a major life saver for Mommy today.  She agreed to briefly watch the two of you while I transported a client twice today.  Mommy took you guys over first thing this morning.  You two awakened fussy and whiny, and demanding of some major Mommy attention!  So needless to say, you two (even though excited to go to Dianna’s) didn’t want your Mommy to leave.  Nathan answered the door and reported that his Mommy (Dianna) was in the upstairs bathroom.  Mommy wrongly assumed she knew we were there.  Mommy gave you both kisses and hugs and left out the door.  Apparently you two went running out the door and Dianna had no clue.  Fortunately, Norah saved the day as well as your two bacons!  Norah alerted her mom that you two took off and then headed out after you guiding you back into the house, uggggh!  Lesson learned; that won’t happen again.  All is well thanks to little Norah though J Mommy arrived 20 minutes later to take you two home.  Mommy took you home and allowed you guys to play outside and then we had a lunch picnic breakfast together.  We had to lock Garfield and Sundae in the cat house because they have ZERO manners.  Both tried walking on and eating the food off of our plates…gross!!!  After breakfast & playtime, Mommy finished ordering some birthday supplies, and then we headed back to Dianna’s.

Mommy made sure Dianna knew you two were there.  Dianna had to hold you Jude…you were screaming for Momma L  Mommy is confident in Dianna’s ability to manage both of your meltdowns, or I wouldn’t have left.  Mommy returned 20 minutes later again only to report that Mommy’s client was missing (this happens more frequently than one would expect).  Mommy packed the two of you in the car only to receive a call from my client.  Mommy had grudgingly take you two back inside (with boo’s and hissing), and returned a half hour later.  We again headed home.  We again had a picnic outdoors.  Mommy put you both down for a nap.  You both resisted but managed to get a short nap in before going to Grandmoo’s for the evening.  You both did not want to wake up, ugggh!  It was such a chore to get you two up and dressed again.  Mommy dropped you at Grandmoo’s and then conducted a parenting assessment.  Mommy finished early and called to let Grandmoo know.  She insisted on keeping you guys for a few more hours.  Mommy took the time to finish up some work and then Daddy picked you both up on his way home from work. 

We then reunited, having a slumber party in Daddy’s office together.  Sweet sweet dreams baby butts!  Today you two just needed your Momma.  Sorry, I had to work...even if it was only for a few hours.  Mommy made up for it this evening J

Oh Monday Monday

This morning Mommy was up extra early to take a local client (yay!) to some appointments before heading to gymnastics with you little Bodhi girl!  Mommy returned in time to get you and your brother to the gym and then Brother and I watched in our usual amazement.  One thing we've noticed ha/ha, you are a dedicated little trooper but when you are laying flat on your back, you have a heck of a time sitting up with your big ol' apple head, and under-formed core :)  You are a stinkin' doll though.

After gymnastics we headed home.  We visited with our Neighbor, Ms. Susan, and played in the yard for a little while, before we were off to Jude's doctor's appointment, a six month check for his tubes in his ears.  Buddha, you weighed in a whopping 37 pounds, and Bodhi, you couldn't resist getting weighed either.  You weighed in at 45 pounds :)  Despite you always picking and complaining about your ears (which I partly think is a new way for you to get extra attention) your ears are reportedly perfect.  Your hearing was perfect as well. After an hour at the doctor's office (in which you both were awesome and little angels), Mommy dropped you two off at GiGi's so that I could transport my client once again. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a half hour adventure, turned into an hour and a half adventure.  Luckily for Mommy and the two of you, GiGi and Gi-Pa didn't mind one bit :)

After returning home, Mommy and you babes took a little nap.  Before we knew it, it was evening and we still hadn't eaten dinner.  Mommy needed to get your birthday party supplies ordered (we are super busy these next couples of weeks) and Mommy is running short on time.  Plus, we'll being headed to Tennessee a couple of days after your birthday Bo :) Anyway, you two played in the McDonalds play area while Mommy created invitations and party supplies on the computer.  We then headed home about 10:30 p.m.  Yes!  Well PAST your bedtimes.  Jude, you didn't really nap today, you just basically had some quiet time.  So, by the time we made it home, you were in major meltdown mode!  Poor little sucker!  Momma's sorry to keep you up so late.  You and your sister were enjoying the company of four little Tennessee children, that were wayyyyy country :)  You two had a blast, and even talked Momma into buying you two and your four new friends an ice cream cone...they were super glad they friended you two ha/ha!

Sweet dream my little chicken butts!  Momma and Da Da love you to the moon and back, over the rainbow, infinity ha/ha!  

Sad, Sad, Sad Sunday

Today Daddy was up early with the two of you, we all allowed Mommy some extra sleep time, Daddy made both of you breakfast of cantaloupe and then some oatmeal. Then Daddy tried to get some work done, while the two of you watched SpongeBob.

Mommy had to work for a couple of hours this afternoon, so the three of us settled in for an afternoon nap. Mommy awakened Daddy when she got home, and our dear friend Mister (Terry) Wilson called and said he was on the way over to help Daddy diagnose a computer problem. He and Mrs. (Reta) Wilson visited for a while, then they had to get off to Sears to purchase a tool Mister Wilson was needing.

Mommy purchased a graduation card for Tony, one of our new neighbors who was graduating from high school, and she took the card and a gift over while we slept, then Tony’s mom, Sheila, brought over some sandwiches and dessert she had after the graduation party—how thoughtful!

Late in the afternoon and later in the evening, Daddy received distressing phone calls from Aunt Debbie. Daddy’s Mommy, Grandma Betty, had fallen and broken her pelvic bone and was hospitalized in Vincennes. The second call Debbie expressed that Grandma Betty was in serious-to-critical condition, and that she and Aunt Terrie and Aunt Diane would know more tomorrow. Aunt Debbie expressed a fear that she thinks Grandma Betty may worsen during her stay in the hospital, and thought Daddy should come down first opportunity. Daddy agreed to come tomorrow or no later than Tuesday.

Daddy has had a foreboding sense of sadness for days, and literally wonders if his extrasensory perception is not and has not been on high alert. Daddy is worried and cannot help but display that distracted sense of concern in his interactions with his precious babies and Mommy.

Daddy rocked each of you this evening, it was comforting just to hold each of you. You each are a special conveyance of comfort. Of course Mommy and Daddy love you both. Daddy truly adores and loves each of you beyond words, beyond measure.

Thank you, each, for the needed love, the unconditional love of a child---two beautiful children, two special blessings.