our {scout} weekend in review

We've had a very eventful weekend full of mostly scouting activities.

Friday we loaded up for Caleb's Blue & Gold banquet. This little preview of how helpful our little cub scout is...helping his sister into her car seat, completely on his own...

We enjoyed all of the rewards, recognition, skits and food...not to mention the spilled coffee on my lap, which didn't get into the picture reel (imagine that)...

We are so very proud of our official "Bear scout."

Saturday was a busy day as we got a lot of stuff done around the house. With all the sickness lately it was good to hit the "reset" button on the house and open up some windows to the beautiful spring-like day. We went to the park to run off some energy...well to let the kids run off some energy. I spent my energy on vacuuming and sweeping, you know stuff like that.

oh what am i doing mom? just climbing mountains...

there's not an ounce of ornery here, no not one ounce

i got a "hey mom, this is what 5 year-olds do for arm exercises"

We went to scout Sunday at the church that sponsors the pack. It was a nice service and more recognition of a great group who shows service within the community.

We're looking forward to another fun week. Mark is running one of the biggest cub scout fundraisers of the year this week, the Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper. So we'll be busy with that and getting Caleb's car ready for the annual Pinewood Derby race. Stay tuned for more fun ahead. Until next time, enjoy the week!

an ER trip, flu bug, and other sickly happenings...

So we've had an eventful week, and unfortunately it hasn't been our normal fun events.

Thursday night while I was at work, Mark called to say Caleb had a temperature of 104. The poor boy had been home from school since Wednesday with a stomach bug. We thought he was actually feeling better on Thursday until that evening. 

So Mark, with both kids in tow, met me down in the ER of the hospital I work, at 11 o'clock that night. Luckily, our unit had settled down a little bit at that point, and my awesome co-workers kept an eye on my patients.

We found out that Caleb had a double ear infection, and was swabbed for the flu. The news came in slow-motion: "He's flu positive"

Since we were still within the 48 hour window, we were able to get him started on Tamiflu.

Friday night we could tell Caleb was back. We had our weekly movie night, pizza night and his appetite was back. Most of Saturday we still had him in quarantine, but he remained fever free. Sunday morning he was up and as energetic as ever, and we are officially over 24 hours fever free!

Katelynn has being doing well throughout all of this. We had her stay home Friday from school because she had been up all night in the ER with us. She has had a runny nose, no fever and very energetic as usual. Her main complaint is that she wasn't able to play with Caleb.

Mark and I are both healthy, just the usual sinus stuff with our change in weather patterns. We are very thankful that Caleb has seemingly made a fast recovery.

And for all those who asked, no we did not get the kids vaccinated this year. It was a hard decision, and the times that I had thought about it, they were going through upper respiratory colds and we decided to heavily dig into the Vitamin C. 

Vaccination is a case by case decision. I got vaccinated, as well as my fellow co-workers, and several other people that I know. But that didn't stop many of them from getting the flu this year. It isn't always effective and since our kids are relatively healthy, we decided to kick up their immune system with vitamins, fluids and rest. I've heard doctors tell me it doesn't matter what you choose, you are at risk either way and keeping your body as healthy as possible and keeping your hands clean has always proven a smart decision. 

Just had to step on my soap box for a minute.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. We are so blessed to have you all caring for us, even from miles away...

right now

You could say I've been a little lacking on the blog posts lately. Or you could say we're having a lot of awesome busy things going on right now. Let's go with the latter.

Right now...

We're taking more trips to Varsity for chili dogs.

We're lounging around...

Putting a "family command center" in our house...

Sipping on hot drinks...because it's actually cold outside (insert:  brrrr)

Loving my new candle holders from my Uncle Jim's new Etsy shop (RoughcutLogworks)

And a little deer watching...

We've also been trying to take it a little easy lately. Some coughs and sniffles have been lingering but I'm not complaining as the flu cases at work have been pretty bad lately and we've been busy. So it's nice when we can have weekends to increase our Vitamin C, and rest, and enjoy each other. Lingering in hot baths and getting cozy watching movies on the couch are a nice change of pace.

Hope you all are enjoying your weekend.

You can still follow my other random thoughts at maimeedoit.blogspot.com

caught up in the somedays..

A confession.

I have this horrible habit.

It's called putting anything I dream of or desire into a category that I label "someday".

Whether it be creating a reading nook, or a meditation/prayer corner, becoming more mindful, etc etc.

It is all what I want someday but am too complacent and afraid of looking at seriously investing in it anytime in the near future.

My weight and  health goes the same way. Someday I want to lose that final 10 pounds (or the accumulation of pounds from trying to lose that final 10). Someday I'd like to find pants that fit, or shirts that don't look like  t-shirts. Someday I'd like to eat organic, or better yet plant my own vegetable and herb garden. I can never find the time or energy for now, so I'll tuck it into that someday category.

You want to know something? I'm tired of the somedays. I want it all today. Not in a "I want to rack up credit card debt" to get there way. Just a "going in the right direction" way. Nothing wrong with that.

Just like everyone else January 1st came and went with a slew of "resolutions". To be richer, thinner, luckier, happier. But this January 1st was a little more important to me. This year I will be turning 30 and Mark and I will be celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary. A big year. And though I feel super guilty for not putting myself on a new diet or counting calories or spending countless hours at the gym, I must say I feel better.

I have made the promise to myself to be more mindful, to have more purpose in my step. To listen to my body, my mind, my spirit, to live with intuition and heart. To love myself. Everyone could benefit from a journey within. I have a collection of books building that I will share, all I hope will help give me insight into this new year and new journey.

Don't ask me what I intend on sharing within the blogging world-I'm still figuring it all out. I have tried and failed to start any other blogs and feel that this is a good enough outlet for all family and personal journeys so this is where I stay for now. More to come, you can be sure. Hope you can appreciate the journey with me.

On my reading list:

"Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen." 

― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

A trip to Kansas, and someone turned 9!!

Last week we embarked on a journey back to Kansas to celebrate a late Christmas and Caleb's birthday with family and friends.

A look into our trip...

We went to Winfield to see my mom, Gary, Grandpa and Grandma Kindt and a surprise visitor, my uncle Keith.

way too much fun with flying monkeys!

And I was on the receiving end of some very precious family treasures, including my Grandma's very first cookbook!

We also celebrated Caleb's birthday while we were there. A Ninjago themed birthday party made this birthday boy very happy!

So hard to believe we have a big 9 year old now! Wow, how the time flies!! Happy Birthday Caleb :)

Then we celebrated with Mark's side of the family, his brother Tony flew in from D.C. with his boyfriend John. The kids enjoyed time with their cousin Haley and we enjoyed seeing David. Lisa came in from Kansas City, unfortunately Ryan couldn't make it down. But we were able to see "baby D" growing, she will be due in February.

No Charlie, we didn't forget about you :)

We had a great trip, and really enjoyed seeing everyone that we could. We were very limited on how many days we spent in Kansas this time, so if we didn't get to see you, we apologize, but we'll be back soon!

Hope you all have a great week!

Happy Birthday John!!