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Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday deeeeaaar Errrriiiiic,
Happy birthday to you!

You're the best part of our day, every day! We love you!

Cue The Banjos

When dinner was over tonight we were a little flustered. Eric only had a few minutes to play with the kids as he had to get to softball practice. Matilda was hysterical because she had rice stuck all over her clothes. Not wanting to deal with it, I just stripped her down to her diaper.

Eric and the kids headed downstairs. Between the confusion and apathy, Sam ended up going outside in his t-shirt, jeans, and Eric's shoes (on the wrong feet). Matilda went out in a saggy diaper, tennis shoes, and her puffy pink winter jacket.

I met them outside where they were playing baseball. I was in striped pajama pants, my Beer Bellyz t-shirt, and a pair of sensible black dress shoes. We truly could not have looked any worse. We live in a nice neighborhood. It was safe to say that we did not look like we belonged.

Eric was the only one who looked okay - t-shirt, athletic shorts, and baseball hat. It wasn't until I looked closer at the stripe on his shorts that I noticed it. "Honey," I said as nicely as possible. "Your shorts are on backwards."

We're pathetic.

Corkscrew

I have moved our play kitchen, table, and chairs into Matilda's room. The kids have been in there all day playing 'tea.'

I walk in and find Matilda wearing a black velvet bodysuit with a pink tutu. Sam jumps in front of me holding a plastic pot.

"This is Dave!" he screams.

"Dave?" I say, baffled.

"Who is Dave?" asks Sam, just as confused.

"Did you say the pot is named Dave?" I asked.

"Oh, Dave," Sam says, nodding. "Yeah, this is Dave."

"Day! Day! Day!" Matilda screams and bends at the waist, resting the top of her head on her toes.

I leave them in there, bent in half and filling Dave with plastic carrots, and go look for a bottle of wine.

Hmmmmm

I don't know.

There has been a lot of negative stuff going on in our lives lately. Normally I'd focus on the positive and try to document all of that but right now doing so would feel dishonest. I'm physically/emotionally/spiritually/creatively tapped out.

We're all fine. Honestly, we've been doing some great things and we have a lot of fun stuff planned. I just haven't been able to muster the energy to blog.

I'll be back soon.

Armed and Stupid

I say that with as much love as possible.

I love Eric. I love him dearly. Married him, in fact.

I love Brian. Within minutes of meeting him I adored him. I remember warning Megan, Eric's roommate at the time, that Brian just may be the world's most perfect man. Megan and Brian are now happily married and had their first baby last October.

However, there isn't enough love in the world for me to ignore just how stupid they are together. They are like two old ladies. Right now they are in Las Vegas. Instead of going to strip clubs and getting arrested, Eric is battling swollen hands from the high sodium in his Bloody Marys. Brian is making sure to keep sunscreen on his bald spot.

Yesterday they went to a gun range to shoot machine guns. It is the single funniest thing I could ever imagine. It is something men would do, not Eunice and Betty here.

Staying Positive

Well, it didn't happen. We were still too sick to go to Sioux Falls. We missed it. I'm having trouble coming up with a positive aspect to that.

Friday was such a bad day. I was unable to do anything all day. The kids ate ready-made food and watched PBS. The positive? I will never again downplay what I do all day. On Friday I did nothing and I could not believe the state of my children and my home. It was beyond words.

Yesterday morning Jackie and Miranda came to my rescue. They played with my kids and cleaned my house. I am so very thankful. Then last night Miranda gave me the best gift - she went with me to Walmart. I HAD to get some groceries and it would have been a nightmare without Miranda helping. Then we came home, where she made the kids dinner and helped me put them to bed. Once they were sleeping Miranda and I watched The Proposal and Sunshine Cleaning. I honestly don't know what the state of my home or psyche would be without having had Miranda's help yesterday.

Today we're all feeling better. There is a lot of coughing and nose-blowing but that's a welcome relief from the flu-like stuff we had a few days ago. I only have to make it through today and tomorrow until Eric gets home. Oh yeah - did I mention that I'm doing all this alone because Eric is in Las Vegas? (I'm honestly really happy for him and hope he is having a FANTASTIC time. He works every single day - I don't know anyone who deserves a little vacation more than he does!)

We will make it through this and all will be fine...but Tuesday can not come fast enough.

Yuck

I haven't been posting anything this week as it hasn't been a great one.

Somewhere between Tuesday and Wednesday Sam, Matilda and I got sick. Between the three of us we have had every cold/flu symptom there is. Yesterday Sam missed school (learning about the letter X) and his first class of his new swimming lessons. I'm so sad about it!

I'm doing everything I can to get us well as tomorrow we're going to Sioux Falls to see Tali, Joy, Beckett, and brand new baby Liam. (Okay, and Chad. Sorry, Chad.) I see them twice a year and I'm not missing out on this weekend.

Sigh.

Old Age

Last night Eric and I couldn't wait to get the kids to bed. As soon as they were asleep we went ahead with our evening which was complete with laughter, excitement, shock, and nausea. We didn't go out...do anything illegal...even have some drinks...

...we watched a BBC documentary on ocean life. We were mesmerized and at one point I even screamed.

Please, please, could someone spare me a life??

Volunteers Are Hot

Ever since Eric got his nursing degree he's been dying to do volunteer work. He is always looking at things like Doctors Without Borders and every time a natural disaster hits I can tell that it drives him nuts not being able to go.

He recently applied and got accepted to do volunteer work for the Rochester Salvation Army. They have a variety of medical and dental clinics provided for Rochester's uninsured. Eric will be doing intake, assisting with education, and providing care during a minimum of two shifts a month.

Last night was his orientation and he came home completely inspired. He said he was very impressed with their building and the wide variety of services they offer. The best part (for him)? They are working on forming a Rochester disaster relief team. I do not like the idea of Eric going to a place full of injury and destruction, but I will support him completely if he ever gets the chance to go.

Y'all can keep your musicians, athletes, and actors...I don't think there is anything sexier than a man with a kind heart!