Pssst...over here, go here.

He has the story to go with the pictures.

Don't be scared! He's friendly!

Coming out of the storm

Over the past several days we have been in and out of the doctor's office with the baby--twice yesterday. She developed a fever early in the week and it was hovering around 104 with no other signs of illness--other than plainly just feeling icky. She has been poked and prodded, bled and shot full of antibiotics. Yet still no answers on what actually made her sick in the first place.

My greatest fear is losing my children. My second greatest fear is leaving my children without a mommy. I have spent the last three days in fear and tension.

Following multiple nights of no sleep--two of those nights were spent just holding a crying child--last night we slept. All night. This morning there was no sign of a fever. She was playing and chasing her brother around. We did go back to the doctor first thing just for a follow up. The lab cultures were back and they showed no signs of bacterial infection. Whatever hit her was viral and she's on her way to being over it.

I'm now sitting here with a happy, healthy baby girl napping in her crib and a heat pad on my neck and shoulders since apparently that's where the tension decided to settle. The funny thing is, my greatest fear used to be running out of toilet paper. That is now a far distant 3rd.

This amazing picture was taken by my niece, Maia.
Sort of sums up the feeling I was going for here.

Housecleaning

Husband brought home new cell phones today. Even though I apparently have "issues" with change, I got a new phone as well. The last time Husband treated himself to a shiny new phone--I was left to contend with my old, not shiny phone--he, um, received an ear full on his thoughtlessness...um, I mean frugal-ness. So now I receive a new phone every time he is bored/frustrated with the old ones. Besides, I was feeling so 20th century with a phone that didn't take pictures!

A new phone meant transferring old phone data. Where's Foxmark for cell phones?! Scrolling through my contact list I found myself making decisions--does this person warrant a space on the new phone or not? When was the last time I actually used that number? I had people on my contact list whom I haven't spoken to in months--and in some cases, years. I've had the same cell phone number since we moved here. Everyone on that list also has my number. So why did I take a guilt trip simply because I hadn't made contact in so long? I'm the one that's been having babies and living a life of chaos. So, I decided it was time for some housecleaning and not everyone made the cut. On the other hand, however, two new numbers were added today. I guess it all does all even out.

Kimbilio

Swahili: refuge, sanctuary: a place of shelter, protection, or safety.

Never have I known a place more aptly named than Kimbilio. This is what my parents have chosen to name their home. This morning--early this morning--I sat out on the rear deck. Just me, my coffee and this:

With all of the chaos--within and without--over the past several months, it was just what I needed! Forget the fact that I slipped and fell yesterday--my tail bone missing a rock by this much and almost breaking my hand. Yet I managed to hold on to the baby! Then there was a flying poop incident at bath time. At one point I did request a day do-over.

But this morning, I had peace. Just me and the rain.

Things I learned today

When the electricity is off, the water dispenser on the refrigerator will not dispense water.

Other things that won't work without electricity--the clocks on the microwave, the coffee maker and the oven. I checked.

The human body does not consume hair. It will pass straight through and exit quite unchanged.

And little boys who play hard with their cousins and don't nap will fall fast asleep on the way home--snoring.

Just another day...

in the life of a 3-year-old.

looking for bugs

taking a popsicle break

more exploring

inspecting an ant while waiting for the frogs to poke their noses up in the pond

Yep. It was a good day. There was also exploring down at the river and an otter sighting. A good day indeed!

Once again I find myself failing at this blending in thing. Yesterday afternoon I wandered into my former place of employment and one of my former co-workers asked if I had any plans for the 4th. My first thought was...the 4th what? Oooh, riiiight. That 4th. Apparently it's a big deal in this country.

Honestly though, I think this is more of a case of me being so boxed up in my own little world the past several weeks than of me not knowing what the 4th of July means to this country. However, I have managed to complete the editing project--one technical snag after the other, but it's done and I'm half way proud of it. We'll see what my mom says when she sees the final product today--it's her boss that hired me!

I'm loading up the little ones and all of their accouterments--must it always look as if we're moving?--and heading out to spend the day with my family out at my parent's house.

So, anyway....Happy 4th of July everyone! And to my British readers....um, thanks?