Funny Memories..."the other one"

Last night I started thinking about something that happened in our family about 6 years ago and then I remembered that I had blogged about it (and I am so glad it did!) It was one of those parenting moments when you know that God has a huge sense of humor and continually reminds us (HIS children) of how little control we truly have...even when, as parents, we think we have it going on!  So, in honor of a humbling parental moment (and how much it still makes me laugh) I thought I would repost this:

Reposted from "Meet The Other One" June 6, 2006

No, I am not being cruel to my youngest child...he is, the “other one”.

This whole other one business started on New Years Day. My dear husband and I decided we were not happy with the amount of sibling discord we were having in our home and decided to address it formally. We took our cues from some of the most well respected family therapist and experts and decided to have a “family meeting”. The children were called into the dining room and took their seats. My youngest child sat between his older siblings. The older two had a look of knowing dread. I think they assumed we were going to announce something hideous like I was having another baby!

Dear husband and I were trying to impart the “think of others first” type of mentality to these three little ones. I gave several examples of what that might look like: “let the other one wash their hands first”, “let the other one sit in the prized seat on the sofa”, “let the other one get the ball first”, etc. I really felt I was doing an extraordinary job imparting such wisdom and the world would be a better place because of it.

Then it happened...my dear, sweet, adorable youngest child interrupts. He literally raises both hands, palms down, out towards his brother and sister and very solemnly looks them straight in the eyes and says, “Now you know, I AM the other one.”

In case there was any doubt!
Meet the “other one”.

The Glass Menagerie and Time with my Girl

This past weekend I was able to get away and spend some time with my sweet Daughter at her college.  With all the craziness going on with my youngest son, I haven't had a lot of time to focus on her and lately she has been dealing with some things that just needed some extra time from Mom.  Not that I solved any of her problems, but I hope just having some girl time helped alleviate some of the stress. 

On Saturday we did a little shopping and then saw "The Glass Menagerie" which was being performed by a local theatre group known as the Averitt STARS at the Emma Kelly Theatre (as part of Averitt Center for the Arts in Statesboro, GA)  I hadn't read this play since high school and it was a lot of fun to see it on stage and the cast did a wonderful job bringing the Wingfield family to life.  It was also nice to see one of the great Tennessee Williams works in honor of his 100th birthday!  I think now I am going to have to reread some of his Southern classic!   

Don't think we were being too high brow though,

because we ended our night with delivery pizza and cherry pie

 in her apartment while watching an early 80s teen movie! 

A good time was had by all.     

Southern Charm

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Southern Charm

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Happy Weekend, y'all!

Southern Charm

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Garden Inspiration!

Well, it is supposed to be close to 80 degrees here today (and we have had lots of these days lately - I am NOT complaining!) and I think a post of "Garden Inspiration" is in order.  These are all drawn from...you guessed it...My Garden Board on Pinterest. It seems all my inspiration these days comes from Pinterest!  It has become a particularly wonderful friend during the many nights I can't seem to sleep. 

Here are a few things I would love to try this Spring and Summer:

 I think this idea will be fantastic using some old bags that I have for hanging on our gates!

 Who doesn't love Fairy Gardens?  I just think they are magical and think my boys will enjoy helping create one or two of these...though they may turn out to be Fairy Battlefields!

 I already have the old wicker chair for this project (actually it is a wicker rocker that used to sit on our old house's front porch...I will just remove the rockers and it will be perfect for a climbing rose bush!)

One thing that we encountered when we bought our current home is that the previous owners LOVED chandeliers...particularly mid 90s brass ones.  Almost every room had one so I have several of these gems in my attic and I think THIS is the perfect project for one of them.

So, do you have some fun plans for the garden this year?

A Diagnosis...

My boys, planning, creating and always doing something!

I have been pretty quiet the last few days and that is due in part to having overnight guests from last Wednesday through Sunday and also from the fact that I have spent what little free time I have had trying to understand and wrap my head around the diagnosis that we finally received last week concerning my sweet, youngest son. 

After his adventure in testing, a 72 hour EEG, abnormal brain wave spikes were found.  This, in conjunction with previous seizures, brings the conclusion that my sweet boy has a seizure disorder.  So...there is an answer, but it is an answer that brings more questions. 

The Neurologist gave me lots of information to digest and told me to talk it over with DH and then we can all decide how to proceed.  The Dr. was very sweet in that he understood that the information he was giving me was going to raise more questions and he assured me he would patiently answer each one.  What a relief because as the week has gone on my list of questions has grown substantially. 

As far as my sweet boy goes, he is feeling good.  He still has some headaches but we are wondering if they are allergy related and not related to the seizures (see...we still have lots and lots of questions.)  His primary Dr. put him on a 24 hour allergy medicine after our visit last week and it does seem to be making DS2 feel better. 

It has been 5 weeks since the last seizure...and we are still wading through this new stream of life.  There are so many questions about the present and future for my little boy.  As a Mom, it scares me a lot. I am concerned for the changes this may bring for DS2.   I am not sure what we are going to do as far as treatment as there are many options; some include medication, others revolve around diet and vitamins but all include a large dose of prayer.  I am praying continually to keep reminding my heart (and head) that God is in control.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day one and all, but especially the man with whom I have been blessed to share my life.  He is truly my best friend, and I can't imagine walking through life without him.  He is patient with me, has more energy than I can comprehend and is the best Father I have ever seen.  I see so much of what is good in him developing in my boys and that makes my heart sing.  These last few weeks have been difficult, to say the least, but I am so thankful he has been here with me and don't know how I would have made it without his love and support. 

Happy Valentine's Day to my most amazing husband. 

Love is the condition in which the happiness

 of another person  is essential to your own."

-Robert Heinlein

The Unexpected Lesson from an EEG

This weekend finds us still on the search for answers to what is behind the seizures that DS2 has been having (to back track on this story begin here) and he is under going a 72 hour ambulatory EEG this weekend.  We went to Charleston yesterday to get it set up and attached (yes, he has to wear it until Monday afternoon...even during sleep but fortunately he doesn't have to stay in the hospital.)  He is a real trooper and hasn't complained which makes me so proud of him and his sweet spirit.

On the way home from Charleston, we stopped for some lunch. Remember, he was attached to the EEG.   It looks quite intimidating, as he has wires coming out from under his head wrap and attached to a little pack that he has strapped on.  Of course, in the restaurant it got noticed.  Not that anyone was overt but you knew they were noticing and no one was more aware of that than DS2.  By the time our food arrived I could tell his mood had become very reflective and serious.  He looked over at me with such seriousness in his beautiful green eyes and told me, "You know how when we see someone who is different, or we talk about someone who is different? Well, it changes a whole lot when you are the one who is different."  We went on to talk about how people who are dealing with illnesses, or just any physical differences must feel.  His heart opened in a way that I don't think I could have ever imagined just by his small experience of being "different."  He has always been a compasionate soul, but I could tell that his view into what others who are different must feel, was heart stretching.  He learned a lesson that no words I could have shared could ever have taught.  He saw that no matter the differences we truly are all God's creations.  My heart just melted as I listened to my 10 year old grow and mature before my very eyes. He poured out his heart concern and love for others, and I don't think I have ever been so touched and proud of him.

Who knew that an EEG could teach so much?

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for

righteousness, for they shall be filled.

~Matthew 5:6

Great Words to Live by....

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Happy Groundhog DAY!

How will you be celebrating? Or, are you in one of those areas where your groundhog brought bad news? We will celebrate all day and end the day watching one of our all time favorite movies, Groundhog Day. If you haven't seen it, get a copy! It is one of my favorite Bill Murray roles and I just love Andie Macdowell.

We are celebrating because our great Southern Groundhog, General Beauregard Lee, made his appearance outside his plantation-styled home in Georgia early this morning to find only clouds and no shadow to see; which means a wonderfully welcomed early Spring (actually if kind of feels like it has already arrived)!!!!!!

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{Semi} Wordless Wednesday: Spring Fever Edition

It has felt like Spring around here this week!  Of course, seeing the garden centers gearing up for Spring doesn't help that feeling either...not to mention the daffodils, Saucer Magnolias and forsythia that I have already seen blooming.  I am afraid I am about to come down with a bad case of Spring Fever and it is way to early for that!

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