It has been quite the week. I finally have the kids to bed which is an incredible accomplishment considering Avind has some serious diarrhea this evening, Collin has a bad headache, Blake is out of town for work, and I got the news this evening that my Grandpa passed away.
It was expected but it still is surreal and heart-wrenching. It is amazing the hole that seems to be created when someone dies. I know they live on, but it just feels empty and quiet suddenly. I mourn the loss of his knowledge and experiences. I wish I could have listened to more of his stories. You know what is the saddest realization? I didn't get to sit down and ask him about being a teacher and what it was like for him. I am sure I could have gained a lot from him.
I am happy that I was able to spend more time with him during my teenage years once we moved nearer one another. He liked to take me clothes shopping when I came to visit. I felt so special when he would tell me to choose what I wanted and he would buy it for me. And I will never forget how much he liked Blake from the first time he met him. He told me at my High School graduation that he approved of Blake because he could see the way Blake looked at me.
I think my favorite memory is when I visited right before Collin turned 2. He sat on Grandpa's lap and they both just giggled and laughed as they played the Talking Gina and Talking Tom. I have it on video and it warms my heart every time I watch it. Collin loves that Grandpa Bruce was a soldier. Grandpa even gave Collin his Army pin. Collin wears it every Veteran's Day. I had a chance to have some great long phone conversations with him in recent years. He was always so certain that Blake and I would make the right choices and be successful. I had the blessing of visiting with him in January this year. It was just me, mom and dad, grandma and grandpa. There was no rush. There was no one else to share him with. We just spent time together. We just talked. I held his hand. He told me how proud of me he was. It was just what you would want your last visit to be. I will miss you Grandpa. I love you.
The last 10 days have been challenging. And I am certainly earning my Mother's Days.
The Sunday before Thanksgiving Collin was coming down his bunk bed ladder to find me because he wasn't feeling well when he threw up, all over the floor (which I remind you is brand new carpet). He unfortunately had eaten blackberries for dinner which regurgitated as bright red and did a number on the carpet. Mom duty time. Blake got the kiddos settled while I began the clean up process. It took a long time. We stayed home from church and he threw up a few more times, but we were ready this time and clean up was minimal. We bought ourselves an early Christmas present though. A Rug Doctor carpet cleaner.
Monday and Tuesday I took sick days and stayed home with Collin. I had some major stomach cramping while the bug made its way through my system. One of the most challenging things about taking sick days as a teacher is that staying home seems like so much more work than just going to work. Creating sub plans is hard, especially several days in a row. And especially because I teach 2 alternative HS program classes. Those kids do not respond well to unexpected change. It is stressful to be gone.
Our good friends planning to visit for Thanksgiving understandably canceled and I would have done the same, but it was sorely disappointing. It was a good move on their part though. That very evening they canceled, Collin threw up again. I thought after 3 days we were in the clear so I had put him back in his top bunk. That was a very unfortunate decision. Especially for poor Avind who resides in the bottom bunk. Collin did not want to mess his bed up with vomit or get it on his Georgie (Curious George Doll), so he leaned over his bunk instead and let it fly to the bottom bunk, much to Avind's middle-of-the-night horror. Once again, I spent some late hours cleaning. I especially enjoyed spraying blankets off with the hose in 15 degrees.
Despite all that,we had a lovely week together! It was good, close family time. We took walks and played hide and seek, and cuddled up for family movie parties. We were mostly confined to home in fear of spreading our illness.
While home I put up outdoor Christmas lights and decorated. It is nice and cozy in our home. And I went out Christmas shopping on Saturday and helped haul a new trampoline for the boy's present (shhhhhhhhh! Don't tell them!) into our little car's backseat.
This was all apparently a little too much because on Monday morning while adjusting in my sleep, I heard the awful sound of my neck popping out of place. Ug. Not again. It is very debilitating. My head is so heavy! I was pretty miserable through the morning and was able to get in to the chiropractor, thank goodness. Would you believe that that very evening Blake strained his hamstring while walking on the treadmill. He said, "That is just pathetic. I hurt myself walking. It doesn't get any lazier than that. Well, actually I guess you got hurt sleeping so, you win that award." Nice.
And now, I am home again tomorrow. With a little poop machine. Poor kid. If he yells "poop!" I have about 3 seconds to get him on a toilet. But it is all worth it when these two little boys cuddle up to me and cling to me with all their love and energy.
I suppose sleep would be good. I finally got my sub plans typed up and have some teachers on hand to help out the sub if needed. I bet grandpa would understand.
Love you Grandpa!
