The last few days

Let me just start by saying that this past Thursday was a difficult day. I don't think I've ever cried so much over such a minor decision in all my life. We were to be leaving Thursday night to drive to Ft. Worth for the weekend. Jim had meetings Friday and I had a baby shower to go to on Saturday that I reeeaaalllyyy wanted to go to. In fact, it was Kristin's baby shower. Kristin has been a good friend of mine since 9th grade. We kind of lost touch for a while, but thanks to myspace and the blog world, we "talk" every week through comments! :) It's great and it has been so fun to reconnect. I'm so thankful. She is prego with her first baby; a little boy named Cayden and I absolutely cannot wait to meet him.

Anyway, the girl started running fever Wednesday afternoon. I took her to the doctor Thursday morning and she has strep throat. Again. The second time this month. Well my mom decided to take a sick day on Friday and keep the girl for the weekend while Jim, the boy, and I went to Ft. Worth. Well, then I pick the boy up for Mom's Day Out Thursday afternoon and his temp was 100.5. I was like, "Great!" Then the decision making mess began. Should I stay here and just let Jim go to his meetings and skip the shower? Or should we just be brave and take the boy because, really, 100.5 is not much of a fever? But then, what if we got there and he starts feeling really bad and comes down with strep throat? Or should I leave both of them here with Mom and Jim and I can go? But that's selfish to leave my sick children here, isn't it? Oh goodness, I was a mess. And first, I had to practically talk the girl into staying here with my mom. "Honey, Lola said y'all would decorate Halloween cookies. You can go to the new Hastings and rent a movie. Lola hasn't been to the new Hastings so you can show her around. And I bet Lola will sleep with you in the front bedroom. You will get all the special time you want with Lola, all by yourself." She wavered between wanting to stay here or going with us. (And I really wasn't sure if I was still going or not.) I finally got down to the reason why she couldn't decide. It wasn't going to be fair that the boy would get to watch movies on the DVD player in the new van and she wouldn't. (Because I don't let them watch it while we are just driving around town. I find that a little too much and a little too ridiculous. It's just for trips.) Can you believe that? Haha.

I talked to Jim several times on the phone that afternoon, but he was not sympathetic because it wasn't that big of a deal. To him. But it was on MY mind. My plans were being cancelled. I want to see Kristin. I want to go to her shower. Plus he was SO busy getting things ready for his meetings on Friday in Ft. Worth.

I finally decided late, late afternoon (after Mom had already gotten a sub for Friday) to just stay at home since the girl was sick and the boy was running a low-grade fever. Jim left that evening to drive to Ft. Worth since he had meetings. I was not happy. I really wanted to go. And I took it out on Jim, making him feel like it was his fault that my plans did not work out. I know it's not his fault that the kids got sick. I was just upset with the situation, but took it out on him. We worked it out before he left though. I was being unfair and selfish. I love you, babe, and I am so sorry. (So Mom cancelled her sub and went to school.)

Friday was trunk-or-treat at the girl's school, but since she was sick, she couldn't go to school. So we went up and parked the van. The kids stay in the back seat and watch all the other kids come by while I gave out candy. They had fun. At least she didn't miss out all-together. Here they are in the back of my van. It was bright, hence the girl's squinty eyes.

Jim got home Friday evening, about 5. The girl was feeling much better. The boy never really got sick. I think he's just got a cold, and he's just a little cranky. I don't think the trip would've been too much fun. We were getting in the car to go to the Fall Festival at my mom's school and then to trick-or-treat at a few places. Jim noticed a chunk missing off my back right tire and scuff marks on the rim. That just about ruined his night. He was so upset. I don't remember running over or hitting anything. I don't know how it happened. And he was worried that it might have a blow-out. So then he starts looking for the spare tire just in case. We hadn't looked for that in the new van. Well, there isn't one. No spare tire. Can you believe that? And what if we had gone to Ft. Worth...and no spare tire? Well, Jim was really ticked. It is a Certified Honda. It should have a spare tire. So this morning we took it to Discount Tire. The guy said the chunk out of my tire is fine. There are supposedly like three layers of walls, then the belts inside the tire, so it's safe. But to not have a spare tire is a little dangerous. And the tread on my tires, since it's Certified, should have at least 80% life to them. Nope, the guy said they don't. So Jim called the dealership in Dallas and chewed them out. Needless to say, my van is at Discount Tire as I "speak" getting brand new tires on it. Free for us. Thank goodness, because those tires are not cheap! Oh, and my alignment is off a little, and the dealership is paying for that, too.

The kids had a great time at the Fall Festival. I did not take any pictures, though. I snapped a few before we left the house though. The girl chose her outfit. She was a fairy princess. I tried to find white leotards, but I would only find pink. So the girl said, "Well, I can just wear my white tights and a white long-sleeve shirt." Whatever. Jim looked at me with a face like, "You're going to let her wear that?" but I didn't say anything. She picked it out herself. It wasn't worth a battle. He did try to get her to wear plain white Keds, but she stuck with her tennis shoes. The boy didn't want to be Superman. He was cranky. He just wore his Jack-o-lantern shirt.

As I "speak", Kristin's shower is almost over. :( Kris, I'm so sorry I missed it! I hope you got both of my messages. Give me a call. I want to know all you got. Take some pictures and blog about it. You have to. I love you and Cayden, too. Jim promised I'd get to see you soon and hopefully get to spend some time together.

It's November 1, as the girl said this morning. The beginning of the holidays. I look forward to Thanksgiving and to be reminded of all the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us. I'm going to blog each day about something I am thankful for up to Thanksgiving day. So today, I'm thankful that the Lord prevented us from going on the trip to Ft. Worth because if we had gone, what would we have done if we had a tire problem and no spare tire? There's a reason for everything. He knows best!

This post is really, really long, so if you are still reading, thanks for "listening"! :)